CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The West Virginia Senate has approved a bill aimed at easing the burdens of cities and towns across the state struggling with unfunded pension liabilities for police and firefighters.

The legislation would allow cities to close existing pension plans to new hires, freezing those unfunded liabilities. West Virginia's largest cities, along with groups representing police and firefighters, have agreed to the terms of the legislation.

On Wednesday, the Senate also passed eight other bills, including virtually everything that had been on the agenda for this week's special session.

Before the floor session, the Senate Finance Committee voted down a proposal by Gov. Joe Manchin that would have offered temporary relief for county school boards worried about paying for retiree benefits.

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