The landmark pension declarations in both San Diego and San Jose may have been subject to some backroom threats as the end of the legislative session barreled forward. Based upon letters sent by mayors of both cities, the possibility that the State Legislature could have tried to intervene was very real.
State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has gone on the record saying that there was no intention to roll back the popularly approved pension changes. However, the details of a pension reform plan presented to Governor Brown before the end of the session last week remains secret. Whether that plan would have impacted San Diego or San Jose’s reforms must be taken at Steinberg’s word.
From the Los Angeles Times:
Have Sacramento lawmakers been scheming to unravel tough new measures voters imposed to limit pensions of public employees in San Diego and San Jose?
Mayors in both those cities fear they have been, and letters they sent to key lawmakers this week raise new questions about what caused talks in Sacramento over overhauling the pension system statewide to fall apart earlier in the week.
“I ask that you respect the will of our voters and allow us to implement their will,” San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, a Democrat, wrote. He warned that undermining the city could lead to insolvency or bankruptcy and said it would amount to “a travesty of the Democratic process and a violation of the voters’ constitutional rights.”
Read the full article here.