PA Lottery

Pension bill dies, others still in play as session nears end

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers are in a rush to wrap up dozens of bills as the clock winds down on the current two-year legislative session. The most closely watched bill, to change public sector pension benefits for newly hired teachers and state workers, failed when Republican leaders could not muster sufficient votes for passage. Neither chamber voted on the final version Wednesday. Leaders say the issue is over until at least next year. Bills that do not pass this week will die when the legislative session ends Nov. 30, barring an 11th-hour decision by House or Senate leaders to schedule additional voting days. The House plans another voting session Thursday morning.