Maryland boosts teacher pensions

Contrary to a nationwide trend, Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich signed into law an increase in pension benefits for his state's school teachers.

The governor's signature on the pension measure marks a major milestone in a four-year push for reform that has been led by the state's 62,000-member teachers union. The Maryland State Teachers Union Web site proclaimed yesterday, "It's the law!"

It was unclear even two weeks ago whether Ehrlich would sign the bill, which passed by wide margins in the Democrat-controlled legislature. He has consistently opposed such costly benefit enhancements.

"We're very pleased that the legislature took the mantle and challenge of finding the funding to make this improvement," said Bonnie Cullison, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, which represents more than 10,000 teachers. "This is absolutely essential to the state of Maryland and is critical and essential for the recruitment and retention of teachers in the state."

The benefits package will cost the state an additional $120 billion.