A California lawmaker has introduced a bill that would eliminate collective bargaining for pension benefits by California's public employees.
The bill, by Costa Mesa Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, attempts to address the state's soaring budget deficit, much like what is being debated in Wisconsin.
"I stand in solidarity with the courageous legislators in the Midwest who are taking brave steps to do the right thing for all of their citizens, not just public employee union campaign contributors," Mansoor said.
The bill has little chance of getting any traction in the Democratically controlled Legislature in Sacramento.
And even if it made it past those folks, Gov. Jerry Brown has a pro-union history that dates back decades.
Pension reform has become a hot topic all across the country as state's look for ways to balance budgets.
Here's the bill's verbatim:
Local
AB 961, as introduced, Mansoor. Retirement: reform.
The State Teachers' Retirement System, the Public Employees' Retirement System, and the Judges' Retirement System and the Judges Retirement System II provide pension benefits based in part upon credited service. Under existing law, counties and districts, as defined, may provide retirement benefits to their employees pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937.
This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would reform public retirement systems
