A fierce debate is starting to erupt across the nation as states try to control employee costs. In Wisconsin, employees are protesting efforts to change collective bargaining. In Oregon, a battle is brewing to control the cost of PERs and some State employees are not happy. Economic Analyst Bill Valentine says the cost of PERs has got to be addressed: “PERs remains a gigantic unaddressed liability for the State. Depending on who you ask, the estimated state shortfall is between $8 and $16-billion.” In Oregon, many cities and counties are having to "pick up" the cost of the employees contribution. That is costing municipalities statewide $750-million. Valentine considers PERs the biggest liability the state faces and failing to address it will cost the State billions of dollars.