Public pension benefits earned by Pennsylvania school and state employees inject millions of dollars into regional and county economies across the state.

"Governor Corbett's plan to radically restructure Pennsylvania's public pension system will drive up the public cost of retirement benefits for years to come," Stephen Herzenberg writes.

Through much of the last decade, Pennsylvania school employees contributed a higher rate to pensions than the state and school district employers. Learn more about public pensions.

There remains only one way to break the back of rising inequality. Workers must organize to demand higher pay and better working conditions.

The proposal could cost the commonwealth revenue and will radically increase alcohol accessibility and the resulting social costs.