Maureen McManus

Over the weekend, PEF’s president suggested that the proposed new pensior tier was such a bad idea it would be worth a temporary government shutdown to get the proposal out of the state budget. But unions face an uphill battle convincing the public, since the proposal also has strong supporters. EJ McMahon and Richard Brodsky debate the pros and cons of adding another pension tier and giving employees the option to switch to a 401(k)-type plan.

Congressman Paul Tonko has been picked to serve on the Natural Resource Committee. He is the only New Yorker on the committee, which deals with energy issues like hydrofracking. Here’s what he had to say about the appointment.

The Alliance for Quality Education is now working with a national group, the Education Law Center, as they fight to change the way school aid is distributed. EDL executive director David Sciarra says this is an issue other states have also dealt with.

Governor Cuomo and the state’s largest teachers union announced a deal on a new statewide evaluation system on Thursday, just hours before Cuomo’s deadline for reaching an agreement. NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi says he’s happy with the result.