CFFR’s Maria Fritz: Want to save schools? Fix pension systems
Marcia Fritz, a certified public accountant, is president of the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility. The recession deserves most – but not all – of the blame for the 1,200 layoff notices mailed to Sacramento area teachers this year. You … Continue reading
NY Times: California Teacher Pensions Fall Short of Other Public Workers
As states and cities debate whether benefits can or should be cut back for public workers, a new study suggests some of those workers have a lot more to fight for than others. The study found that public school teachers’ … Continue reading
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
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
Judge Holds Off on Releasing Names of $100,000-Plus Pension Recipients in Ventura County, California
A Ventura County Superior Court judge on Monday ordered the release of the names of county government retirees drawing pensions of more than $100,000 a year, then delayed the disclosure until a higher court rules. “If I grant this and … Continue reading
Retiree Health Care Costs: San Diego Cuts a Big Deal
San Diego expects to save $714 million over the next 25 years under a tentative retiree-health agreement with labor unions announced last week by Mayor Jerry Sanders, a step toward cutting a long-ignored public employee cost. Rising pension costs during … Continue reading
