“I welcome the end of the hatchet job on police officers, firefighters, teachers and other dedicated civil servants – and a return to democratic process in the State Capitol.

“The Legislature has in fact held hearings on the Governor’s pension proposals – that is one of the best ways to hear from the people how the people feel about important issues – and we have more hearings scheduled for the coming weeks.

“We will continue to discuss, and debate, the Governor’s proposals, just as we will discuss and debate proposals by members of the Legislature.

“That, ultimately, holds much greater promise for reforms based on sound policies, not on emotion or the partisan rhetoric driving ballot initiatives.”