Bills aimed at shoring up Ohio's five public pension systems cleared their last significant legislative hurdle and are headed to final votes Wednesday.

The Ohio Senate fast-tracked legislation on Tuesday aimed at shoring up four of Ohio's five public pension funds, with both political parties supporting passage of the changes as early as next week.

Guaranteed pensions for relatively youthful government retirees paid in similar fashion to millions nationwide are contributing to nationwide friction with the public sector workers. They have access to attractive defined-benefit pensions and retiree health care coverage that most private sector workers no longer do.

The fate of Ohio's contentious new public worker collective bargaining law went to voters Tuesday, wrapping up a campaign that pitted teachers, firefighters and police against Republican leadership in a swing state that often serves as a barometer of the nation's political mood.

Employees of more than 550 school districts, townships and other government units across Ohio will see their share of health care costs rise if voters approve a collective bargaining law this fall, state data show.

Opponents of a federal health care overhaul scored a key legal victory on Friday that should clear a proposed ballot measure for a fall vote.

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has asked for a state investigation into whether banks may have manipulated foreign exchange rates charged to Ohio pension funds and the state's injured worker insurance, potentially costing pensioners and businesses tens of millions of dollars over the past 12 years.