The state comptroller announced a deal to save cities and towns almost $1 billion.

Municipal employee unions have agreed to major pension changes including how cost-of-living increases are calculated.

Towns will save $32 million in the first year alone.

"We get to now take that out of our budget and potentially not cut that teacher that was potentially on the chopping block -- that police officer, that firefighter. That it huge," said Paul Harrington, Windsor Locks first selectman.

Lawmakers say they will consider even more changes next year.