By Randal Edgar
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- House leaders delayed action Tuesday night on a budget article that would abolish a requirement that any revenue surplus beyond that which was expected be put into the state pension fund.
House Finance Committee Chairman Helio Melo said the requirement will have no impact on the requirement that the state make its annual required contributions to the fund.
But others, including Rep. Karen MacBeth, D-Cumberland, Rep. Scott Guthrie, D-Coventry, and Rep. Larry Valencia, among others, said the plan will hurt the fund and the people who are counting on it.
"Where does it end? Where does it end?" Guthrie said. "We are stealing from the people we are supposed to be providing a future to."