Gov. Chafee signs pension reform bill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Gov. Lincoln Chafee office signed the landmark pension reform bill in a ceremony at the State House Friday afternoon. Still, it's far from a done deal -- with workers' unions promising a court fight.

The union opponents of Rhode Island's historic pension reform had not sat quietly in the House chamber Thursday night as their cause -- including cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs -- went down in defeat.

"It's absolutely in everybody's best interest," said House Majority Leader Rep. Nicholas Mattiello, (D-Cranston). To that, union reps in the gallery threw out fervent boos.

"Heckling and cheering and catcalling is not going to help us in this endeavor," House Speaker Rep. Gordon Fox berated the crowd. "If you can't remain in a dignified manner, please leave. Please remove yourself or I will have you removed."

The union members eventually settled down. The lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, cutting pension benefits to save millions right away, and billions over time.

In all, only 17 lawmakers (out of 113 total) voted against the pension bill in the General Assembly.

Many of those who voted "nay" are close allies of organized labor and/or public workers/retirees themselves, including Senators Frank Ciccone and John Tassoni in the Senate and Representatives John Carnevale and Rene Menard in the House.

Click here for the House vote count, 57 in favor to 15 against.

The Senate vote count is listed here , but when checked Friday afternoon, there was one error, per WPRI.com reporter Ted Nesi: Sen. Bethany Moura, Cumberland-Lincoln, missed the original vote, but ended up voting in favor of it. That makes it 35 in favor to 2 against.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee said Friday morning he stands by his belief that the pension reform legislation is fair, not just necessary.

"Every politician is always concerned about elections, but they're also concerned about doing the right thing for the state," he said.

The unions that represent the state workers whose benefits will be cut are promising to fight the cuts in court on grounds that it would be breaching a contract.

"If there's a public good involved... the lawyers tell me... the contract can be amended by state law, which is what we have done," the governor said Friday.