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Public retirement systems should establish a maximum vesting period of five years for DB plans and one year for employers’ matching contributions to defined contribution or hybrid plans. 

States and localities should move toward full funding of their retirement systems. 

Policymakers should establish rights and protections for customers who face possible termination of service.  

Policymakers should prohibit fees for the disconnection or reconnection of customers. If fees are allowed, they should be based on actual utility costs. 

Policymakers should ensure strong consumer protections against unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices related to Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans. 

State policymakers should establish a definition of “universal service” for the energy industry that is similar to the one in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Policymakers should create assistance programs to ensure that all households with low incomes can afford adequate water and sewer service. These programs should be fully funded.

Property tax relief should be equitable, cost-effective, and targeted to homeowners with low and moderate incomes burdened by their property tax bill.

Prior to finalizing annual budget decisions, localities should inform taxpayers of the property tax rate required to maintain revenues at the same level as the prior year. 

Policymakers should adopt robust service standards and consumer protections to ensure fair terms and conditions for all essential utility and telecommunications services.