Ohio -  A new bill introduced to the Ohio Senate is aimed at raising pensions for police and fire departments.
But, cities who may be unwilling to handle the increased costs could decide to pass the cost onto others.

The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio says the push for higher pension pay by local governments has been an issue building over decades, since there hasn't been change since the 1980s.

"We believe that public safety should be a priority and they should do what is right," president Jay McDonald said.

Senate Bill 239, introduced by State Senator Al Cutrona (R-District 33) would not only raise the pay police and fire departments receive, but set the amount of pay equal through incremental increases over a five year period.

"We pay the same amount in to the pension system and we get the same benefit, but the employers do not pay the same amount," McDonald explained. "To us it's a common sense solution to a funding inequity that has existed for decades."

But an existing provision in the Ohio Revised Code could permit cities to pass the buck to taxpayers by imposing levies of three tenths of one mill without taking it to a vote.

When reached for comment, Senator Cutrona told 21 News, "Cities should not have to raise taxes to provide our law enforcement officers with a fair pension. Cities have a duty to be good stewards of tax payer dollars and provide a reasonable pension for the brave men and women that risk their lives everyday."