Brown's Countdown, Day 76: Budget talks deteriorate as GOP unveils big request list
State budget talks between Gov. Jerry Brown and Republican lawmakers deteriorated Friday as Republicans released a long list of proposals to overhaul California government that Democrats said had further divided the parties.
According to a document Senate Republicans provided to reporters, they asked Brown for pension cuts to current and future employees, as well as changes to teacher tenure that reward performance and a hard cap on future state spending, among dozens of ideas.
... The list provided by Republicans included notations of where Brown and Democratic leaders had agreed and disagreed, a rare unveiling that serves as a bad sign for negotiations. (Click here to see the GOP list provided to reporters.)
According to GOP notes, Brown is willing to accept a $106,000 per year cap on final pension amounts and impose new restrictions intended to block workers from spiking their payouts. But he rejected increases in cost-sharing, as well as any move toward a 401(k) style plan, for current employees. He was, however, open to creating a hybrid option for future workers.
Redistricting called cause of state budget impasse
It might sound crazy, but some political insiders think the budget impasse has less to do with anti-tax conservatives than redistricting. "Huh?" you say - well, here's how.
Pension expedience
California should understand by now the dangers of setting long-range fiscal policy based on present convenience. Yet officials at the state's largest pension fund adopted that dubious approach once again last week. Public retirement boards, however, should base financial decisions on careful long-term planning, not rosy assumptions that avoid politically tough decisions.
La. state pension funds running dry
QUESTION: I have read that some states might run out of money to pay their retirees. I work for the state now. Is that a problem for us, too? ANSWER: Unfortunately, we're close to the top of the list.
Surge in jobs a state record
California's job market sprang to life in historic fashion last month, while Sacramento's continued to plod along.
NJ unions start advocacy group free of cash caps
Unions in New Jersey are forming an advocacy group free from fundraising and spending limits to fight GOP Gov. Chris Christie's efforts to cut taxes and restrict collective bargaining.
Dedicated staff makes new hospital even better
I work at the new Oregon State Hospital Harbors Treatment Mall in Lighthouse 1. This unit cares for the most violent male patients who come from around the state for treatment because they have committed a crime. This is one of the most difficult units to work on.
As more public pensioners want out now, who pays?
This week, The Wall Street Journal published an unsurprising but revealing article on the state of public pension as taxpayer angst over hefty post-employment pay keeps up. The story's premise is based on data showing public employees are retiring at a fast pace before the tide against their benefits erases their expected earnings. That means fewer layoffs, and more jobs for lower-income employees. But there is a critical downside to this mixed blessing. Deficit-stressed state and local governments will have to pony up retirement benefits earlier than they intended.
Ark. gov: Budget bill draft may come out Monday
A pay raise proposed for state employees will be eliminated and spending requests for agencies other than public schools and prisons will be reduced to pay for tax cuts under a proposed budget bill coming out next week, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said Friday.
NYC marks 100th anniversary of deadly factory fire
The centennial commemoration of the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire became a rally for organized labor Friday, as hundreds marched and vowed to resist efforts to weaken unions in state capitals across the country. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer drew loud cheers when he pledged to fight "right wing ideologues" trying to curb worker protections.
House votes to end pay deductions for union dues
In a blow to public employee unions, the Republican-controlled Florida House passed a bill Friday that would ban payroll deductions of dues and require labor organizations to get individual members' OK before using their payments for political purposes.
Vote set for bill affecting Ohio public employees
A key vote has been set for Tuesday in the Ohio House on a controversial bill that would make strikes by public employees illegal and limit what they can talk about at the bargaining table.
Kansas Senate leadership shows little interest in state worker pay cut
Senate Republican leaders on Friday showed no appetite for a proposal by House Republican leaders to cut the pay of state employees by $19 million.
Wisconsin Watch
Collective bargaining law published despite restraining order
In a stunning twist, Gov. Scott Walker's legislation limiting collective bargaining for public workers was published Friday despite a judge's hold on the measure, prompting a dispute over whether it takes effect Saturday.
Wisconsin union law published despite court order
Wisconsin Republicans insist that the anti-union law that sparked weeks of protests at the state Capitol and that is being challenged in court takes effect Saturday because a state office decided to post it online. The head of the office that posted it and a court order temporarily blocking the law's implementation suggest otherwise.
Wisconsin Republicans say anti-union law in effect
Wisconsin Republicans said on Friday a bill stripping Wisconsin public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights was in effect after it was published by a legislative agency despite a judge's order against publication.
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