Ohio & Mahoning Valley - Ohio lawmakers are making a push to to make sure police and fire fighters in the state can receive all of their retirement benefits. But some, including Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown, said while the idea is a good one, the cost would be so steep it would hurt more than it would help.

On Tuesday, the House Pensions Committee voted in favor of House Bill 296. A law that if passed, would require cities and municipalities to increase the amount they pay toward police and fire pensions. Lawmakers say the goal is to stabilize their system.

During a hearing, groups like the Ohio Mayors Alliance said although the idea is well-intended, they are against it. 

[The bill is] trying to address a long term accounting issue that the [pension] fund is dealing with. None of those issues affect benefits for retirees in the short term or even the medium term" Keary McCarthy, Executive Director for Ohio Mayors Alliance said. 

McCarthy told 21 News that cities like Youngstown and Warren would face unintended financial consequences for taxpayers and current first responders.

"Our 30 cities alone already pay $300 million dollars annually into that fund. This bill would increase that by $80 million on top of that, McCarthy said. 

In a statement, Youngstown Mayor Brown said he supports a strong pension system, but said in part, that the bill "Would make it more difficult for us to hire safety personnel, offer competitive wages and maintain the resources needed."

McCarthy said more work needs to be done before the bill reaches the senate floor.