Many cities have part-time electeds – & what it really means is the Bureaucracy, & the Special Interests, are even more empowered, then they would be, otherwise.

State Republican promoted “term-limits” – (shortsightly designed to get rid of 1 person, then Speaker Willie Brown) – have given us elected “representatives” who have no qualifications, no experience, no track record, & who’s main goals are lining up their next position while filling their own pockets.

Too many “fixes” are aimed at the symptoms – not the disease – & ultimately make the problem worse.

Keep repeating that, Katy, until you begin to understand the concept.

Past pensions are protected by state and federal law, FUTURE pensions for year not yet worked are NOT protected. Public pension contracts are not a federal issue. I know why you don’t want voters to vote on it, becuause you woudl get smacked back to the stone ages. Funny how you clown public employees are upset that there is no vote on taxes (well there was in November 2009 with Props 1A-1G, and the pension taxes increases were rejected 2-1 margin)

As for collective bargaining, public employees have NO constritutional right to it, it is a statutory right and can be taken away as fast as it was granted-see Wisconsin.

I agree that Pensions need to be reformed, but it must come from the Legislature and the Collective Bargaining Process, not by angry voters who are looking for vengeance and have State Employees in their sights!
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Once again, you should go to a local community college and take con law 101. Pension reform does NOT have to come from either the legislature or collective bargaining, it can be voted out by prop. because it is a stautory issue, and statutory issues can be determined by the people on a ballot-go review Prop 13, and also review the public employee comments about it before 1978, because your comments parrot them 100%. Those baloney whoppers did not work in 1978, and it wont work in 2011 either.

Katy

No legislation can be considered until a budget is resolved. (unless deemed an emergency).

Reduce legislative Staff (share resources among all legislators).

Eliminate Paid Board/Commission members – with only the full time Board Chair being paid. The rest would be volunteers. Boards/Commissions meet via teleconference to eliminate travel budgets.

No board or commission appointments for termed out, or former legislators for 8 years. No Legislator family members or staffers may be board or commission members for 6 years.

Legislators in session will stay in dorm/apartments. Light Rail or Bus service from the dorms to the capitol. (or build a dorm at 3rd and Capitol Mall [old Sac Union Building] with shuttle service) District offices get a single vehicle to use.

When businesses state wide are finding ways to tighten the belt to survive, there is no reason that the government cannot do so as well.