Gov's relief plan met with opposition

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Governor Lincoln Chafee stood before the House Finance Committee on Thursday asking lawmakers to pass legislation in order to help the state's struggling cities and towns.

The reform and relief plan would allow cities and towns with poorly funded pension plans to suspend cost-of-living adjustments for retired municipal workers.

"This is a real threat to growing our economy in Rhode Island. We cannot have national publications pointing to bankruptcies in Rhode Island while we're trying to attract companies to the state," Chafee said very seriously.

Union leaders fought back with strong words for the governor.

"When did being a teacher, a police officer, a firefighter, a municipal worker or a state worker become a dirty word in this state? That's what this bill does. It's an insult to every working Rhode Islander that falls under that category," said Paul Valletta from the RI Firefighters' Association.

Thursday's meeting is just the beginning, advocates on both sides will be pleading their case to lawmakers over the next seven weeks or so.