ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The two major party candidates for governor says New York state needs to change the way it provides health care benefits for public service retirees or else local governments and school districts will face fiscal disaster.

Republican John Faso and Democrat Eliot Spitzer both have said they would follow the example of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg by setting aside part of the state's surplus to deal with the unfunded costs in years to come.

According to the state budget office, taxpayers will fork over more than 47 (b) billion dollars over the next 30 years to provide health care benefits such as dental, vision and life insurance to
government retirees.

Those costs could potentially bankrupt some local governments and forcing others to make tough choices about cuts in education, public safety and other services.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)