The Stater Worker: Jerry Brown serious on pensions; senator in hurry-up mode
Some observations from the recent legislative committee hearing that considered Gov. Jerry Brown's 12-point public pension reform plan. (Sacramento Bee)
California Department of Mental Health to shed 600 state hospital jobs
The California Department of Mental Health on Wednesday proposed eliminating about 600 state hospital positions to shed costs, reducing the department's authorized workforce by about 5 percent. (Sacramento Bee)
The states doing the most (and least) to spread the wealth (California is 10th on the "most" list)
The Occupy movement has brought economic inequality to the headlines. Occupy protesters around the country have labeled themselves the 99 percent, in contrast to the wealthiest 1 percent. While this has captured the public's attention, differences in wealth have always existed, and states have tried to level the playing field by redistributing money through education spending, unemployment benefits, health care, welfare, and other means. 24/7 Wall St. examined government spending by state in a number of categories to identify those that give the most and least in money and benefits to their residents. (msnbc.com)
Gov. Jerry Brown can't flub taxes again
Gov. Jerry Brown's big failure in the first year of his Sacramento sequel was the inability to deliver as advertised: as the wise old pro with the skills to untangle the gridlock and balance the books. ... Simply put, he failed. Republicans balked. There's no need to rehash it further here. So now the Democratic governor has changed routes and is headed straight to the voters with a different tax plan. But in detouring around legislative gridlock -- created by a two-thirds vote requirement -- Brown seems to be driving into a multi-vehicle smashup at the ballot box. (Los Angeles Times)
Another 19,000 Greek civil servants face early retirement in January
ATHENS -- A second wave of around 19,000 civil servants are to be pushed into early retirement on January 1 as Greece tries to reduce its spending, the Kathimerini newspaper reported on Wednesday. (BNO NEWS)
SD governor proposes pay raise for state workers
PIERRE, S.D. -- Rising tax collections mean the state can afford to boost spending on schools and health care while giving state employees a pay raise next year, Gov. Dennis Daugaard said Tuesday as he proposed a $4 billion state budget to the South Dakota Legislature. (Souix City Journal)
Sweeping KPERS changes recommended
With retired state employees looking on in matching black shirts, a commission voted to recommend sweeping changes to the state pension plan Wednesday. (Topeka Capitol-Journal)
GOP-led Michigan Senate OKs state retiree benefit changes
LANSING -- Republicans who control the Michigan Legislature continued efforts Wednesday to save money on retiree benefit costs related to state employees. (Detroit Free Press)
Retirees sue the state over health insurance increase
HT to Bloomberg News that got the jump on this, but a group representing about 40,000 retired public employees has filed suit, just about two hours ago against Gov. Andrew Cuomo's increased health insurance for the state workforce -- which also applies to retirees. (Albany Times Union)
15 CT State Workers Face Hearings Over Irene Food Aid Abuse
HARTFORD, Conn.- Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy announced that 15 state employees have been referred for disciplinary proceedings under the suspicion that they fraudulently applied for federal food assistance in the wake of Hurricane Irene. (CBSNewYork)
Follow @TheStateWorker on Twitter and check out our community page on Facebook for links, comments and insights into our reports, blog posts and columns.
The Author
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.