Tag "Public Employee Unions"

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No spare change under the dome

May 20, 2013 By Katy Grimes During his press briefing last week while discussing the state’s lack of budgeting flexibility, Gov. Jerry Brown said, “Anyone who thinks there’s spare change around here, they haven’t read the budget.” Brown released his

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Assembly members objecting to corruption exemption in AB 173

May 16, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — A corruption exemption remains in Assembly Bill 173, by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego. But calls I made to all the members of the Accountability and Administrative Review committee, which had reviewed the bill, indicated

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Collective bargaining behind the scenes

May 15, 2013 By Katy Grimes Government employees’ salaries and benefits, and in particular, pensions, are financially unsustainable in California. It is clear that collective bargaining reform is needed. But in a state run by politicians elected largely with the

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Yes, govt. pensions can be completely canceled

May 15, 2013 By John Seiler We’re constantly told that California governments have a “constitutional obligation” to pay for the pensions of public-sector employees. Except when there’s no money left. If a city, county or even the state goes absolutely

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Bill would strip corruption protections from university employees

May 13, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — Public contracts should always be subjected to stiff scrutiny. Without public scrutiny and oversight, spending other people’s money is too easy. But a new Assembly bill would not only increase the amount

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Vindictive Obamacare bills speeding through Legislature

May 9, 2013 By Katy Grimes It’s always good to see the California Legislature proposing more vindictive bills aimed at penalizing employers. The new “Walmart loophole” bill, AB 880, would require large employers to “pay their fair share when they

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‘No Federal Bailout’ bill killed in Assembly Banking Committee

May 8, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — As the self-help movements say, taking responsibility is crucial to recovery. That’s why Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, wants California to take responsibility for its pension addiction. Her bill, Assembly Joint Resolution 10, called on

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Unions kill teacher evaluation bill

May 3, 2013 By Katy Grimes For most parents in California, education is a nonpartisan issue. But too many of the state’s elected politicians, who claim to represent all constituents, accept teachers union campaign contributions — and lots of them.

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Legislature guts another transparency bill

May 2, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — In a move which disregarded the very issue in the bill, Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 killed an important transparency bill Tuesday before it was even heard. Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R- Modesto, hadn’t even testified

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Pattern developing in reform bill killings

May 2, 2013 By Katy Grimes It’s the first day of May. If you haven’t noticed, the California Democratic Supermajority is killing all reform efforts. And the targets are not just Republican bills. Just yesterday, the Senate Committee on Environmental

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