Policy

Oregon Governor Approves Pension Cuts

Complaints that it goes to far and not far enough

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Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed a bill cutting pension benefits for some retired government workers.

Kitzhaber signed the measure without fanfare Monday. The governor has previously called the bill a good first step, but he's pushed for even steeper cuts to retirement benefits.

The measure would limit inflation increases for retirees earning more than $20,000 a year. It angered public workers, who said it's an illegal violation of a contract they had with the state. Republicans also were opposed, saying it won't do enough to stabilize the pension system's rising cost to taxpayers.