Bills propose increased contributions to public employee pension plans

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Bills calling for increased local contributions to two state pension programs and an overhaul of a community assistance program have been proposed in the Alaska Senate as lawmakers look to further cut costs amid a bulging budget deficit.

Measures introduced Monday would increase local contributions to the public employees’ and teachers’ retirement systems. They also would phase-out a state-sponsored scholarship program and scale back the community revenue sharing program.

The bills, from the Senate Finance Committee, are interlinked: the teachers’ retirement system and sc...