Pension Reform

Upbeat LAO report lacks key focus: CalSTRS bailout cost

The Legislative Analyst’s Office released an analysis of state revenue this week that suggests the state won’t suffer when temporary tax hikes expire. This is from AP: SACRAMENTO — A steadily improving economy will buffer California’s budget from a drop

2014’s low turnout eases path for 2016 tenure, pension ballot measures

Chris Reed November 18, 2014

Rick Claussen, Ned Wigglesworth, and Aaron McLear of the Redwood Pacific consulting group have released an interesting memo that is good news for those considering taking on public employee unions in 2016 with ballot measures putting limits on government pensions

Modest-seeming CalSTRS pension estimate lacks key context

Chris Reed November 11, 2014

The California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers do a good job of promoting the narrative that state teacher pensions are very modest at best. It’s true that there aren’t the same type of outrageous stories that we see in

BK judge slams taxpayers on Stockton pensions

John Seiler November 2, 2014

In boon to public pensioners and a shock to taxpayers throughout California, federal Judge Christopher M. Klein approved a bankruptcy plan to put Stockton city retirees at the top of the heap. That means taxpayers are at the bottom. Also stiffed

CalPERS’ $100K club increases 900%

John Seiler October 22, 2014

Let the good times roll! for those getting pensions from the California Public Employees Retirement System, anyway. The Register reported: Back in 2005, some 1,841 retirees pulled down more than $100,000 a year in pension checks from the California Public

Longevity increases pension problems

John Seiler October 13, 2014

To the consternation of government pension planners, Americans just keep living longer. AP reported: NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are living longer than ever before, according to a new government report filled mostly with good news. U.S. life expectancy inched

Post-Stockton, Democrat job-retention myth certain to be exposed

Chris Reed October 3, 2014

Both parties have bogus canards that they trot out when convenient. The worst example of this among Republicans is the idea that tax cuts always pay for themselves — that they lead to higher revenue. It could well be true

Stockton ruling, like Vergara ruling, shakes CA status quo

Chris Reed October 2, 2014

Californians who think the state status quo is nuts and that public employees amount to a protected class of citizens have gotten unexpected help this year from the state and federal courts. First came Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rolf

San Jose fire union’s dire claims demolished by 10,000 LAFD job-seekers

Chris Reed September 25, 2014

The Rough & Tumble news aggregation website had an unusually helpful juxtaposition of two California news stories on Wednesday. R&T linked to a Mercury-News story detailing how San Jose had finally been given a court’s clearance to implement a pension

Absurd Prop 2 provision shows extent of teacher unions’ clout

Chris Reed September 17, 2014

If you want an example of just how powerful the teachers unions are in Sacramento, consider Proposition 2. The measure was placed on the November ballot by the Legislature at the urging of Gov. Jerry Brown, who depicts it with