Some states, including West Virginia, have been paying down unfunded liabilities for public employee pensions for years.
In Ohio, recognition a serious problem exists in that regard is just now coming to the public's attention.
Ohio's five public employee pension programs are tens of billions of dollars short of meeting their commitments during the next few decades. Some have been unable to devise plans for long-term solvency even if they are allowed 30 years to do so.
State officials are studying the problem now, even as they grapple with a plan to deal with an $8 billion shortfall for day-to-day operations during the next two years.
Of course, Gov. John Kasich and legislators should not act in haste on unfunded liabilities. However, that does not mean they can be ignored - as has been the situation for many years.
