By AP
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam says he's not convinced by arguments that state workers deserve better benefits because they may be sacrificing better pay in the private sector. The Republican governor says Tennessee salary and pension levels need to be in balance, even when it comes to positions like accountants and attorneys who could make more money in the private sector. Haslam says government should offer compensation plans that are competitive with the private sector, not ones that stress benefits over salary because of the longer-term cost of paying for pensions. Haslam says he has considered possible changes to the pension system for public employees, but has no plans to introduce any proposals this year.