NEW YORK -- WNBC.com's Melissa Russo exclusively reported on a debate that affects the families of rescue workers who die from World Trade Center-related illnesses.

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SLIDESHOW: Mayor, Gov. Argue 9/11 Pension Benefits

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A meeting of the New York City pension boards scheduled for Friday has been postponed because of a disagreement over how much the city should pay families of deceased rescue workers.

Gov. George Pataki signed a new law in August that would pay family members as if their loved one died in the line of duty, even if they had already retired before they died.

For example, the widow and children of a police officer who dies in the line of duty would receive 100 percent of that officer's salary until the children are grown, according to the governor's office and police unions.

However, New York City lawyers have a different interpretation. In a memo obtained by NewsChannel 4, they argue the city only has to pay half an officer's salary in such cases.

Police union President Pat Lynch is calling this an outrageous attempt by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to shortchange the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001.

Pataki sent a statement to NewsChannel 4, agreeing that the intent of the new law was clear and that our heroes deserve no less than 100 percent.

Bloomberg's lawyers insist the law, as written, does not require the city to pay the other 50 percent.

Bloomberg has always opposed this new law, saying it's poorly written and that the state and federal government are wrong to saddle the city with the high long-term costs of these benefits.

A vote by New York City's police pension board that was scheduled for Friday has been postponed because of the controversy.