Gov. Brown Defends His Pension Overhaul Proposal
During a meeting of the joint legislative committee on pensions on Thursday, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) defended his 12-step plan to overhaul California's public pension system, which would increase public employees' contributions toward health care costs, raise the retirement age to 67 for most new employees who are not in public safety positions and implement a "hybrid" system featuring a traditional pension combined with a 410(k)-style investment. The Brown administration estimates that the plan would save the state $4 billion to $11 billion over 30 years. Brown said his plan and the projected savings are necessary to balance the state budget.
- "California Legislators Give Jerry Brown's Pension Reform Plan a Tepid Response" (Van Oot, Sacramento Bee, 12/2).
- "Gov. Jerry Brown Defends Plan To Reduce Pension Costs" (Mishak/McGreevy, Los Angeles Times, 12/2).