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With just about every state facing a deficit this year, they re looking for ways to handle one of the largest costs they have. pension benefits. the bitter battle means raising taxes or slashing benefits. msnbc s richard lui joins us. of course, neither of those a alternatives sounds very good. they are not appetizing. good morning to you. 31 states are not making the pension grade. according to the pew center on states, that puts millions of hardworking americans in danger of not getting their pension checks in their golden years. now, here s the problem. on average, states are only putting in 78% of pension plan costs. and in some states, and i ll highlight a couple for you, it is worse. illinois barely put in 51% of what was required. the best, new york at 101% because of law requiring all costs be paid up front in that state. now, the reasons that 31 states got into this squeeze, first, state budget shortfalls have caused subpar deposits for ....