"Breaking the bank in Maryland has been a bipartisan, multilateral pursuit for years, backed by both parties at the state and local levels alike. When state lawmakers enacted a big increase in teachers' pensions four years ago -- an increase that freighted Annapolis with huge obligations to cover benefits negotiated by local school systems -- the move was pushed by Democrats, signed by a Republican governor, cheered by localities and hailed by then-Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, now the national GOP party chairman."  The Washington Post, April 6, 2010.