AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) – A Texas Senate Committee has unanimously passed a deal that aims to save the Dallas Police and Firefighter Pension Fund.
Senators Royce West and Don Huffines held long negotiations to help hammer out a deal.
Mayor Mike Rawlings did not support the original House bill that passed earlier this month, saying it unfairly put the cost on Dallas tax payers.
Rawlings said the proposed changes are better for Dallas tax payers and that all sides showed respect for each other during the talks.
“There’s a lot of people that come at these decisions from a very different ideological standpoint and they are all getting behind it because it is our police and fire. I think that’s historically a very important thing,” he said.
Sam Friar chairs the pension board.
“Neither side likes it but it is something that I think we can both agree on and tolerate. It does save our pension fund long term so that is what matters.
The deal would give Dallas a majority on the pension board. However, any plan to reduce benefits or increase contributions would need the approval of two-thirds of the board.
The measure will go to the full House next week.
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