City's ballot measures on pensions, arbitration are irresponsible

Added July 28th, 2010

The City Council's Rules Committee advanced ballot proposals Wednesday, July 28 to remove parts of the City Charter – its Constitution – that for decades have protected the best interests of San Jose residents and San Jose employees. The proposals are not a serious, considered effort to solve the City’s real problems:

-- The proposed pension changes would place taxpayers and employees in financial jeopardy by stripping away protections and leaving one of the City’s largest obligations to be decided by which way political winds blow from year to year.

-- The revision of binding arbitration is the kind of hastily conceived and convoluted proposal that is guaranteed to produce unintended consequences worse than the alleged problems it purports to solve.

Both proposals were brought forth at the last minute. Although they are major policy changes, the public has had no opportunity to comment on them. These proposals make a mockery of the City’s sunshine policy.

The cost of putting one measure on the ballot is $758,000; each subsequent measure costs $366,000. In this time of severe budget cuts to essential services, the City cannot afford to waste money on foolish ballot measures.

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