ounty pension bill goes to governor

HARRISBURG — A bill designed to clarify the rules for cost-of-living increases granted by county pension boards is on its way to Gov. Tom Wolf.

The House voted 191-1 Tuesday to join the Senate in approving the measure.

The bill would require the county boards to obtain an actuarial note stating that any increases won’t reduce pension funding levels below 80 percent.

Any increases will have to be based on changes in the cost of living.

The bill also says such increases would not have to be applied retroactively to the last cost-of-living increase. The bill’s supporters say current law is vague on the question of retroactivity and that the new language will clear up any confusion.

Budweiser maker finalizes agreement

LONDON — Budweiser maker Anheuser-Busch InBev today announced a final agreement to buy SABMiller for $107 billion in a deal that will combine the world’s two biggest brewers and create a company that makes almost a third of the beer consumed worldwide.

In an effort to assure regulatory approval, SABMiller agreed to sell its 58 percent stake in a venture with fellow brewer Molson Coors for $12 billion. The deal should ease concerns that AB InBev would have a stranglehold on the U.S. market.