Cuomo proposes changes in the pension system that would limit what he calls abuses of loading up on overtime just before retirement to pad pension checks. His plan would also offer a variation of a 401k plan, in which the state would contribute about half of its share now and workers would invest more.

"The unions weren't elected by the people of this state," Cuomo said. "The Assembly members were. The senators were. And those are the ones I'm going to hold accountable. And for a legislator to say, 'I'll only do it if the unions tell me it's OK.' How about the people who elected you? How about the citizens? How about the taxpayers, as opposed to just the (political campaign) donors?"

Cuomo said his pension proposal would save taxpayers $113 billion over 30 years. The fund is currently funded to meet its obligations, unlike many states' pension systems.

The Senate's Republican majority and the Assembly's Democratic majority have said they support some of Cuomo's proposal, but have yet to offer an alternative. That is expected March 12, when the majorities release their proposed state budgets. Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will try to negotiate a 2012-13 state budget before the April 1 deadline. Legislature leaders have said agreement could be a week earlier than that.

"We are examining the various proposals to reduce the cost of government, however protecting every worker's right to a hard-earned, secure retirement is a priority in the Assembly," said Michael Whyland, spokesman for Silver. "We will not allow this right to be jeopardized."

Cuomo also took a shot at DiNapoli, a Democrat, who is by law the pension fund's sole trustee. Cuomo said he hasn't talked to DiNapoli about the pension proposal, despite the comptroller's concerns, because DiNapoli "doesn't have a vote."

"I am not standing in the way of pension changes or pension reform, but I am sticking up for a thoughtful, factual and inclusive discussion on pensions and retirement security," DiNapoli told a gather of mayors.

He said 401k retirement funds, similar to what Cuomo is proposing as a voluntary alternative to future public workers, often aren't enough to cover retirement costs. He said a 401k plan is a good supplement, but not a substitute for a guaranteed pension.

"It's really a national issue as to how many people are underprepared for retirement these days," DiNapoli said.

DiNapoli also told the mayors that they won't see the savings promised in the Cuomo plan, because it would only be applied to future hires and governments aren't hiring. A so-called Tier V plan was adopted two years ago to reduce employer contributions by governments, but Cuomo says that deal struck before he was governor is inadequate.

"If you want to have a new tier, let's look at this in an intelligent way," DiNapoli said.