Pension Reform A new release of data by state Controller John Chiang is truly a wakeup call concerning the frightening size of the state of California's pension debt. The Controller's report shows unfunded pension liability has risen from $6 billion in 2003, to an astounding $198 billion as of 2013. Of course, it will be no surprise that in the coming years, California taxpayers like you and me are going to have to pay for this government pension shortfall. It simply is not fair. I'd like to hear your Point of View. Send me an email at [email protected]. Governor Brown, in 2012 you announced with much fanfare that you were going to enact reform that would get this pension tsunami under control. At that time, your plan was criticized for its "lack of teeth." Your plan cut pension liability for new hires but allowed pensions of current government workers to continue to rise. Considering Controller Chiang's report showing how fast pension debt is still increasing - it's clear you didn't do much. Also Governor Brown, your so-called 2012 pension reform did not deal with the fact that the powerful CALPERS board is heavily weighted in favor of labor. This appointed board should be a balanced group of individuals. This board has the power to increase pensions for government workers without legislative approval. And in fact, the board did just that in August of this year.

Pension Reform

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Pension Reform

A new release of data by state Controller John Chiang is truly a wakeup call concerning thefrightening size of the state of California's pension debt.

The Controller's report shows unfunded pension liability has risen from $6 billion in 2003, to anastounding $198 billion as of 2013.

Of course, it will be no surprise that in the coming years, California taxpayers like you and me aregoing to have to pay for this government pension shortfall.

It simply is not fair.

I'd like to hear your Point of View. Send me an email at [email protected].

Governor Brown, in 2012 you announced with much fanfare that you were going to enact reformthat would get this pension tsunami under control.

At that time, your plan was criticized for its "lack of teeth."

Your plan cut pension liability for new hires but allowed pensions of current government workers tocontinue to rise.

Considering Controller Chiang's report showing how fast pension debt is still increasing - it's clearyou didn't do much.

Also Governor Brown, your so-called 2012 pension reform did not deal with the fact that thepowerful CALPERS board is heavily weighted in favor of labor.

This appointed board should be a balanced group of individuals.

This board has the power to increase pensions for government workers without legislative approval.

And in fact, the board did just that in August of this year.

They enacted 99 new ways to spike pensions, thereby giving new government workers increasedfuture retirement income.

You came out against one of these measures, but in effect you left the others intact.

So much for your 2012 Public Employees' Pension Reform Act.

Governor Brown, you need to call a special session of the legislature to deal with the pension mess.

Any reform you propose should have a provision to change the makeup of the CALPERS board toinsure the repeal of the recently approved 99 ways to spike pensions.

Most importantly, your plan should cover current government employees -- not just future ones.

Governor, please take the sobering pension report by the State Controller to heart.

His numbers are beyond shocking.

Thanks for listening.

What do you think? We want to hear from you about this P.O.V. segment. Share your thoughts in thecomments section below or email me directly at [email protected].

Kevin T. Hale,

Vice President and General Manager

KTTV-TV, FOX 11 News

The views expressed are not necessarily those of the station or its employees.

http://www.myfoxla.com/story/27454705/pension-reform