Fung sounds pension problem alarm

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - Cranston Mayor Allan Fung is sounding the alarm.

With the state's unfunded pension liability growing at a record rate, local leaders, including Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, say a fundamental change is needed, or vital public services will be lost.

The trash would pile up, senior services would be cut, and the police department would lose nearly half its force.

This is the grim possibility facing Mayor Fung without immediate pension reform.

"There would be an uproar and, dare i say, riots among the residents," Mayor Fung tells Eyewitness News.

Mayor Fung is one of 12 appointed members of Rhode Island's pension advisory board.

Without a permanent pension fix from lawmakers, Fung says Cranston will need to come up with an additional $14 million in the next year.

"That's why we need these reforms in these pensions and a lot of these past obligations now, and we need the help of the General Assembly," says Mayor Fung.

Fung hopes lawmakers will take action on both the state and municipal pension systems.

He says the framework being laid out now, could have a widespread impact.

"What we're doing really could have reverberations, not only through every municipality across Rhode Island, but potentially municipalities in states across the country," Fung says.

The pension advisory board will continue to meet through the summer.

The Governor and General Treasurer will take the group's suggestions and file emergency pension reform legislation this fall.