> States like New York have mostly funded pensions, even with generous pension plans.

What exactly do you mean by "states like New York" here? What is it New York-like that makes place have funded pensions? For comparison, two of the New York neighbors, which arguably are most similar states to New York, both culturally and politically, that is, New Jersey and Connecticut, are among worst five in terms of public pension shortfall. Are "evil republican" "fiscal conservatives" to blame for NJ and CT pension problems? How about in Illinois, another one in top 5 most underfunded pensions? Conservatives also pulling the strings there?