Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has backed down from his previous call for lawmakers to place a 12-point pension reform plan on the November ballot, the Sacramento Bee's "The State Worker" reports.
Elizabeth Ashford -- a spokesperson for Brown -- said, "There won't be pension changes on the November ballot. But we'll get the reforms done, you can count on that."
Although the deadline for placing measures on the Nov. 6 ballot has passed, the Legislature could have changed the rules to put the pension reform proposal on the ballot if it were able to secure a two-thirds vote in the Senate and Assembly (Ortiz, "The State Worker," Sacramento Bee, 7/10).
Background on the Pension Reform Plan
In February, Brown released a 12-point pension reform plan that would have ended traditional pensions for state and local government workers hired after June 2013. The plan included statutory language on health benefits available to retired state workers.
The proposal would have implemented "hybrid" plans that combine typical payouts with a 401(k)-style component for workers hired July 1, 2013, or later (California Healthline, 4/25).
Broadcast Coverage
On Tuesday, Capital Public Radio's "KXJZ News" reported on the Brown administration's comments about pension reform not making the November ballot (Adler, "KXJZ News," Capital Public Radio, 7/10).
Field Poll's Findings on Public Pensions
In related news, a new Field Poll finds that views about public pensions are mixed among likely California voters.
The poll found that:
- 37% of likely voters said they believe public pension payouts are too generous;
- 36% said that benefit levels are about right; and
- 17% said pension benefits are not generous enough.
The poll also found that 67% of likely voters favor limiting how much of an employee's salary is used for pension calculations, while 60% said the public employee retirement age should be raised (Ortiz, Sacramento Bee, 7/10).
Broadcast Coverage
On Tuesday, Capital Public Radio's "KXJZ News" reported on the new Field Poll on voters' opinions on public pensions (Russ, "KXJZ News," Capital Public Radio, 7/10).