Pa. House OKs pension overhaul

    A bill overhauling Pennsylvania’s public pension system is headed to Governor Rendell’s desk.The House voted 165-31 Monday to pass a measure increasing the retirement age and lowering pension benefits for future state and public school employees.Earlier in the afternoon, the House upheld the measure’s constitutionality on a 128-68 vote.Opponents had said the Senate violated “single subject” guidelines by inserting language creating a legislative fiscal office into the measure. The House Monday evening was debating the so-called “Castle Doctrine” measure, which expands a person’s right to deadly self defense.Governor Rendell has voiced support for the pension bill, but it’s unclear whether he’d sign or veto the Castle Doctrine measure.

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