San Jose City Council Imposes 10% Pay Cuts on Four Public Employee Unions
On an 8-3 vote that signaled growing impatience with labor battles in the face of a fiscal crisis, the San Jose City Council on Tuesday imposed 10 percent pay and benefit cuts on four unions representing more than half the … Continue reading
It Is California’s Public Employee Unions, Not Pension Reformers, Who Are Distorting the Facts on Benefits
Today’s Sacramento Bee featured a viewpoint column entitled “Pension ‘Reformers’ distort facts on benefits.” The column was written by Martha Penry, “a special education teacher’s assistant in the Twin Rivers school district.” Not disclosed in the article was the fact … Continue reading
VIDEO: Bill Gates Talks State Budgets and Education at TED 2011
Proposed California Pension Reform Measure Could Save Billions
The controversial “Public Employee Pension Reform Act” – which would “reform the excessive pension benefits provided to current government employees” – would save billions over the long haul and give local governments more room to maneuver in tight fiscal times, … Continue reading
California’s State Workers Need to Give More
As lawmakers and the governor struggle to forge consensus on solutions to close California’s remaining $15.4 billion budget deficit, one thing is clear. Savings and sacrifices must be made in every area of state spending if we are going to … Continue reading
Vista, California’s Financial Woes Show What Cities Face
VISTA — Gail Glass said she could not imagine that her city would be running so low on money that it would be forced to shut off streetlights on her block. Vista ended up issuing a brief reprieve on its … Continue reading
COMPARING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS IN CALIFORNIA
Read the latest study comparing public and private employee compensation. Continue reading
City of Sacramento Intensifies Budget Talks on Gaping $39 Million Deficit As Retiree Pension and Health Costs Increase
The city of Sacramento is facing a $39 million deficit in its general fund for the 2011-12 fiscal year that begins July 1. It’s the fifth straight year of cuts to the general fund, which pays for most city services, … Continue reading
Central Contra Costa County Sewer Rates Rise to Offset Higher Costs of Employee Pensions and Benefits
Sewer rates in Central Contra Costa County will go up this year by $20 for residents of Concord and Clayton and $30 for those elsewhere, if proposed rate increases are approved. Sewer fees are charged on residents’ property tax bills, … Continue reading
General Manager of Tiny Water District in Orange County, California Made $258,000
Total compensation for the top job at the wee Serrano Water District — which manages the fish-filled Irvine Lake and provides drinking water to all of 6,500 people in Villa Park and slices of Orange – was $258,259 last year, … Continue reading
