Local One can solve county’s $51-million budget crisis in 2 minutes
May 4, 2008
A recent article by Marica Fritz of the Sacrmento Bee got me thinking. She contends that local public employee unions have all the power. They dominate electeds, communities, business interests, and taxpayers. In Russian, they got the juice (k’to komo), and could easily solve the fiscal crisis unfolding statewide.
Says Fritz, “Elected officials and the governor are powerless, and all term-out eventually. Administrators, such as those in near-bankrupt Vallejo, are giving up trying to balance budgets; overtaxed and underserved citizens can move to another state, and businesses can simply shut down or relocate. Unions endure.”
Fritz suggests that unions should recognize that municipalities and counties simply cannot afford promised contracts that feature early retirements and overly generous retiree lifetime health benefits. Instead, unions should promote labor, not leisure by increasing retirement age.
“On average, if each new member keeps working just five more years, pension costs will be cut in half. Retiree health benefit costs will almost disappear if more choose to work until they qualify for Medicare. Fewer positions will be cut or left vacant. Businesses will pay less for government services and can hire more workers to compete with out-of-state and foreign businesses…Employee pension contributions can be reduced or eliminated; this will increase their take-home pay to pump into local economies…Studies have shown people who keep working tend to live longer, healthier lives than those who retire sooner. Unions can and must lead the way.”
I agree. And I’m ready to do something about it.
Since Senator Torlakson’s endorsement of incumbent Supervisor Mary Piepho’s re-election bid, it has become clear that our Democratic representatives in Sacramento and the Board of Supervisors (BOS) in Martinez do not have the power or political will to solve the County’s $51-million budget shortfall. Appealing to Supervisor John Gioia, for instance, would be akin to negotiating with some crippled humpback with a lisp named Igor, instead of dealing direct with Dr. Frankenstein.
Therefore, it’s time the taxpayers of Contra Costa County go straight to the power source in Martinez. We need to humbly take our hat in hand, get ready to eat some serious crow, and go crawling to the boss, Mr. Big, Rollie Katz.
Rollie! What do you want? Fame? Fortune? How about a pat on the back and a job well done? How about a new suit and a car detail once a month on CoCo Tax or Contra Costa Council? This could all be yours only with a few minor gimmees that would demonstrate Local One’s willingness, once again, to stand in solidarity with the rest of the working families in Contra Costa. And we aren’t even talking increasing the age of retirement, although that looks like a damn good idea, wouldn’t you agree?
Anyways, longer lives and more job security in the long run for your union members aside, all we’d really need to do this fiscal year is a couple simple things. Two minutes. That’s all we need.
1) Let’s get retirees on Medicare, and 2) ask employees to save county services on the chopping block, by agreeing to pay a $10-15-25/month (single-couple-family) healthcare contribution with a co-pay capped at $20 or less per visit. This is what most working families in the county currently shell out and is just not that much to ask. OK, OK, maybe just take a look at subbing out a few of the no-show jobs from the health care budget like Dr. Walker suggested. I’m just sayin’…throw me a bone, OK?
Rollie. It’d break my heart to see all those critical services and public safety get cut just so county workers don’t have to contribute a pittance to their health benefits or pay a meager co-pay like the rest of us working schmucks. And the Times’ Borenstein says retirees would get better healthcare and the County could save almost $37-million a year if we got them on Medicare at 65.
These two items alone would go a long way toward solving the County budget crisis, Badabing!
Look. Just move an inch, OK? Otherwise it will be a PR nightmare when people realize the BOS is in fact protecting union members instead of representing all of the county’s working families while coddling public employees instead of ensuring delivery of critical services. It’s hard to argue with the truth, man. Help me out here, would ya?
Talk to me, Rollie. I’m serious, dawg. Have your peeps call my peeps and we can get the pencils out, sit down, take off our shoes, do the math, and make this thing happen. Then everyone’s happy, go have a drink, you know what I’m sayin’? Look, maybe we can even make it look like John Cullen, the BOS and the rest of the wannabes really made it happen, you know? Win-win, smiley photo-ops, the whole enchilada. You da man. Call me.
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19 Responses to “Local One can solve county’s $51-million budget crisis in 2 minutes”
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After reading the county salary information posted on SFGate.com, it is clear that the unbelievablely high pay (benefits too) is what’s causing the county’s financial problems. Some 1,400 people are paid over $100K, with the top one paid over a half million dollars. And by no means are all of these top executives. Many, if not the majority, are union represented employees, especially in the fire district and Sheriff’s department.
But that $100K is only part of the story. You have to add between 70% and more than 100% to that pay for ridiculously overgenerous benefits. How unbelievable but unfortunately true.
I am sure that none of these people are bothered that many programs will be cut because of the fancy lifestyle the county has enabled them to live. People who can least afford it will lose their healthcare, mental health treatment, homeless shelters, etc., in order to keep these employees in style.
In a board meeting about redesigning and reducing healthcare benefits, Sir Rollie strode up to the podium and arrogantly announced, “It’s not going to happen. Get over it!”
It’s time to take that arrogance on and if a strike occurs, great. Most of the employees won’t be missed and, since people are 80% of the cost, some huge savings will occur.
It’s too bad county employees have to ride on the shoulders of the poor and undeserved (what do you have to say about that, John Gioia?). Major reductions must be made in employee compensation ot the county will go under.
Okay first everybody has a medical premium co-pay. I have CCHP single and I pay $10.33 per month. Kaiser and Health Net are more. So nobody has free medical. Also what about the raises John Cullen, the BOS and Dept Heads received?????? I got a 2% raise they got considerably more. And let us not forget car allowances and other perks. One of the trade offs for most County workers, who by the way don’t make $100,000 a year is the benefits.
Also how about some of the rediculous purchases that are made??? A $400+ popcorn machine in Health Services??? $15,000 desks???? A mini “Stop Smoking” blimp????? Conference expenses for people to stay at top notch hotels?????? It all adds up yet nobody ever seems to care about those.
It is also important to note that not all employees enjoy the pay and benefits the safety personnel (sheriff, fire,probation) get. Not to take anything away from them as I wouldn’t want their job but people need to stop putting all of us in one box. Clerks don’t even make half of what they do so maybe some more research needs to be done before say all county employees are overpaid. We are not.
I give Mr Katz credit. At least he has the moxie to stand up before the board unlike other union reps who get paid and do nothing. Maybe if they did their job Mr. Katz would not be such an easy target.
Services need to be realigned. Duplicate services need to be consolidated and all the “touchy feely” programs need to be cute during tough economic times.
And not to defend Mr Gioia as I’m no fan of his but the entire board gave themselves a 60% raise. I would love to give myself a 10% raise but it’s not going to happen. Their 60% raise sent a message which is they don’t care about those they serve or those they employ. And considering I’m both not only am I insulted but I plan on working to get each and everyone of them unseated when they come up for re-election.
The issue that won’t die because people are stuck on a number…..
Prior to the raise, the Supervisors were earning about 1/2 or less of what Department heads and other elected officials in the County earn. At the moment, they still make less than $100k versus Department heads/Sheriff/Assessor/Tax Collector, etc who all make $140k and up. Another difference is Supervisors don’t receive vacation, sick leave or retirement benefits that other County employees and officials do. That’s a full time job and sometimes holidays or weekends. Did you overlook the fact that the Supervisor position had not received any pay increases in 8 years and now are only on par with other Counties? Did we also forget that the Grand Jury was recommending over a 50% pay increase? I haven’t seen many looking to lynch them. Perhaps you are expecting their salaries to remain frozen in time indefinitely?
If you still want to complain, then at least do so in full context. What you have today is a group of 5 people making less than many of the people that answer to them. Does your job or business work that way too?
Not trying to catagorize anybody, per se, but comparing a Clerk to a Supervisor or the Sheriff(one of the highest paid) is very much apples to oranges.
For the Admin, you have a broken link on the Sac Bee piece.
No time, wow you really have the minutia of this whole situation down. Either you have a heck of a lot of time on your hands or “someone” (read MP) is spoon feeding you. Clearly you are on the inner circle so why not boost your credibility and come out of the closet?
I think it needs to be made clear that for almost 25 years when labor goes into negotiaitons they are told they can’t compare themselves to counterparts in other counties. Labor is told that we are in Contra Costa and not Alameda, Santa Clara or even Solano. So then why is it okay for the board to use a comparisom with other counties/agencies??????
As for the Grand Jury I find it ironic they don’t look at all departments. I know of people who tried to contact the Grand Jury with things they need to look at and they are sent away. Who better than retired county employees to point the way to waste and improper procedures that need to be looked at???
Like I said before we have duplicate services, programs that serve very little purpose other than “feel” good, rediculous purchases and nobody seems to care. Also Health Services Finance is run by 2 contractors that pull in major bucks and yet that contract never makes it to the public. I find that very interesting considing SF Gate had a list of “Highly Paid” County Employees and this contract is not found on it.
Also the OPEB thing is not new. The train has been racing through the tunnel with no light for 10+ years. And this BOS knew all about it
Mr Barber
You seem to hit the nail on the head when it comes to No Time. I can bet No Time is someone high up in County management as they seem to demonstrate the typical disdain for clerical staff that most of upper management has. Or perhaps No Time is a BOS member????? After all being a BOS member is suppose to be a part time job. I don’t make that much working 40 hours a week!!!!!!!!
I guess when there is a big general strike No Time will be first in line for performing “house keeping” chores at the Hospital……………I bet not
Oh I have it No Time is part of the brain trust that let the OPEB thing get out oh hand. That’s it.
Break out the tin foil hats!
Mr. Barber, thank you for your concern over my daily calendar. But I wouldn’t call it minutia, I would call it basic facts, and the facts stand on their own credibility. This seems to threaten you, as evidenced by your response, because you again seem more interested in attacking me rather than sticking to the issues and those facts. Over your head, perhaps?
Co Employee, where did you get the idea a BoS position was a part time position? What do you know about their duties which brings you to this flawed conclusion?
Nobody expressed disdain for a Clerk’s position, at least not me. We were only comparing salaries. Appears you might have a bit too much emotional factor wrapped into this discussion?
No time, there you go again. You say others are attacking you then you make statements like “Over your head, perhaps?”. Are you implying that I lack intelligence? Since when did this blog become about how smart you are and how dumb I am? Keep in mind I am not the one running for office. I’m just a lowly citizen using free speech to express my opinion about those that are running. I hope you are ok with that.
Lets get back to the “facts”, piepho would not have been elected to a fist term if it were not for her father; piepho has no relevance in the privet sector; piepho has not tackled the unions which is the reason the county finances are the mess that they are.
If her primary claim to success is a balanced budget, tweaking non-union benefits and putting a few million toward OPEB….then that is a pitiful record. Having a balanced budget is a no-brainier that does not even deserve a pat on the back; only going after non-union befits is cowardly; claiming a meaningful OPEB impact without directly addressing the cause is pure deceit.
It is time for change. Remove the amateur who is in it for the money/stepping-stone and vote in a more experienced quasi-outsider who is more likely to do what is necessary.
In my opinion I would rather see those elected to this post either have a significant parallel career or have had a previous successful career. I would like to see a highly successful person in the job on something less than a full time basis rather than a political wanna-be who seeks every ribbon cutting photo op. Lets forget the ceremony and waste of time touchy-feely stuff and focus on real issues.
Mr. B, that’s a whole bunch of wasted energy there trying to play victim. At least you admitted yours is opinion versus fact. Maybe there is something to that evolution thing…..
You say a few million toward the OPEB. I say a BILLION got knocked off the OPEB liability. Let’s call you the glass half empty guy and me the glass half full guy. Close enough?
So in one sentence you want her aggressively attacking the benefits packages……right before the sentence where you complain she’s attacking the benefits packages……I’m gettin’ dizzy here.
At some point in this pissing contest do you discuss the merits of your Candidate and what he brings to the table for East County versus the half-assed attempts attacking the incumbent? Or is that Houston glass already empty?
I’d settle for even one plausible explanation on how the State got in a $14 BILLION dollar hole under his watch and via what logic that equates to a desirable resume line item for the Supervisor slot. You just said a balanced budget is a no brainer. Maybe he skipped those intro courses on the way to that MBA?
Doesn’t look to me like your guy’s got game…..oops, I made a funny.
Hey Nonsense, claiming Houston created the state’s $14 billion deficit is a “dead brainer”. As a Republican in the Assembley he had no control over the out-of-cotrol spending of the Democrats.
And Piepho’s claim that the budget is balanced is pure nonsense. If you don’t include all the costs of doing business in the budget, of course you can balance it. Just don’t include your mortgage payment, maintenance on your house, etc., and your pesonal budget is balanced.
That’s the same way the county (read Piepho) has “balanced” the budget.
And yes, Piepho could not have been elected the first time without emphasizing her father’s name. Whether her father was outstanding as a politician I don’t know, but he had name recognition which she capitalized on. Now that we know her, his name is not enough for her to be re-elected.
Hopefully both she and Glover will go and we will see at least two new faces and hopefully start a challenge to the reign of King Gioia.
Are you serious?
So he goes from a Dem controlled State job to a Dem controlled County job and he supposedly is more effective? In what fairy tale? If you’re a political lightweight, you can’t get it done on any level.
Real leaders take the good with the bad, the successes with the failures. Houston can’t tout his success without acknowledging the failures like the budget. An effective leader needs to reach across the isle and work in a non partisan manner. Piepho has done that locally. Houston could take lessons.
Econ 101 says when revenues go down, expenditures have to go down, therefore cuts are a necessity. If you have a problem with cuts, then maybe you should go back and watch the Piepho/Houston debate and see what Guy’s plan is for resolving the current crisis.
Piepho’s father has been out of politics for nearly two decades. In this short attention span world, suggesting she’s coat tail riding is a stretch, at best. You admit you don’t know Nejedly’s accomplishments, but at the same time claim it’s a factor?…….yeah, that makes sense.
She’ll be re-elected based on her accomplishments this term, not via any name recognition.
Hey No time, or should I say Bob and David, Do you guys collaborate on every post or just develop a theme and see how far you can take it? I think you all should keep on blaming Houston for the ills of CA (forgetting about the other 139 state legislators). This ridiculous theme perfectly fits your entire mantra.
The BoS only has 5 members and your gal marches in perfect lock-step with the other 4. If you say the BoS is democrat controlled then I guess she fits in well. It all comes down to the union contracts/benefits and piepho has not demonstrated any ability to do what is necessary. Three plus years of giving in strongly suggests a change is necessary. Houston has more experience in partisan situations so my vote says let him try where piepho has clearly failed.
No time for nonsense people, that’s why I propose a 60% raise for me, a huge raise for my staff, a quarter million dollar furnished office ( when an exisitng office was already set up) for my counterpart to vote with me. Oops, nothing left over for the working person, I propose cuts in all departments ( including public safety )but not mine. I can’t believe how unselfish I am. I love myself, re-elect me , the next go around will even be better ( for ME )
THATS THE FACTS , and it is just plain wrong. VOTE EM OUT ! we cannot do any worse !
Mr. Barber, your MO is fairly well known in these parts, so the current anonymity I enjoy is obviously troubling you. That’s because you can’t get right down there in the gutter and be exclusive with the personal attacks rather than sticking to the issues.
You harp on the term “leadership” then quickly want to change that definition when it casts unfavorable light on your candidate. But you did manage to underscore my contention that Houston is indeed a political lightweight. Pointing out the assembly membership numbers hardly changes that fact.
I’m still waiting for an answer to my repeated question, what does Guy Houston bring to our community? To suggest a representative from the west side of the District will best represent Disco Bay interests is a joke…..but then it’s not about what’s best for the community in your case, now is it?
Case in point for your latest shoot first, ask question later effort; In 2 years the District will be redrawn and it will be done during the term of the winning candidate. Can you offer even one rational argument to suggest Disco Bay interests will be properly served in that effort if Piepho is not aboard? You think far east County got treated like a red headed step child before, just let Houston(who barely knows we exist) have any chance at office during this critical term.
Mr. Barber, how much experience do you have in negotiating with unions from an elected office seat? You make it all sound so simple. I guess all those nice union folk don’t vote, so you can approach them with your typical kneecapping style and come out unscathed, right?
The County’s fiscal woes are many. But even in this difficult time on the revenue side, progress is being made toward addressing the problems. If you expected a 40 year mess to be fixed overnight or even in one term, then it really doesn’t matter who holds the spot because your expectations are unrealistic.
Guys you continue to impress me with the level of your inside/little known knowledge. So is piepho running today in her current district or her future district?
Your comment about politicians having to bow to the unions to get elected is what I would expect you all to say and that is exactly why this county has problems. By my observation the current district III is less union influenced than most of the other districts so I would expect the district III supervisor to be less beholding yet she votes in lock-step with the others.
You keep asking me what Houston brings and I keep giving you my opinion which you ignore. Please read my other recent posts and quit using the immure tactic of pretending your question is not being answered.
Now most importantly….it is going to be a beautiful weekend which I have already started to enjoy. Park your computer and go have some outdoor fun!
Who said anything about bowing to unions? My point was that you don’t waltz in like you are going to dictate the terms. It’s all about compromise, but you are about the last person I would belabor the term for. All the chest-beating bravado here on union negotitation means nothing if it’s not coming from someone who has actually done it and produced results. Talk is cheap.
“IMO professional politicians have a dismal record of dealing with the types of issues facing this county.”
Your own words from another thread. But you’re voting for Houston(15 years in office, denied a shot at Senate, Equalization and US Congress seats by his own party) versus Piepho’s 3 years. You’re a lesson in contradiction, Mr. B. My apologies for not realizing you had made your strongest point in favor or your candidate. I thought that was just the warmup pitch because it was so weak!
Redistricting will be a fact of life during the upcoming term. We in DB have the potential of a homegrown candidate watching out for our best interests in that effort……..or, we have the option of someone who lives almost in the next county redrawing that map. If you’re pissed off about the inattention you get from County agencies now, just set up a scenario where we again don’t have local representation. You, Mr. Barber, are this community’s worst nightmare on this score because your narcissistic efforts could(though not likely to succeed) leave us high and dry. That redistricting affects all of east county, so Byron and Knightsen also have a stake.
So tell us, how much effort have you spent questioning your candidate on this issue to get assurance we won’t get screwed? Rhetorical question, as I know you’re incapable of thinking that far ahead.
Jeff,
It looks like you irritated ” the husband “…
Hey Mr. No Non sense how about the whopping lie Mary speaks about her Protecting the Public Safety. Her statement: ” Protecting the Sheriff’s Air Support Unit and increasing deputy patrols to improve neighborhood safety and Increasing Sheriff’s Marine Patrol staffing and equipment.” She must be from the Piepho Planet! This woman spews nothing but lip service and lies. Has she forgotten about the war she created with the Sheriff? Has her husband forgot about the nasty emails to Vorderbruggen? Has she forgotten about he budget deficeit that going to cut deputies, has she forgotten about the amount of unfilled posiltions they can’t fill because of the cutbacks. Her getting the job done brochure is nothing but a bunch of Disneyland wishes. She claims she has balanced the budget? Look at the mess she has made with the delays in getting a Fire Commission established. Now she wants to bring it back to her Board for them to screw up again. How long do people of this County have to live with incompentent fire services. Remember the house in Discovery Bay that burned down. Oh I forgot they did save the chimney. It must of been that husband of hers who wrote the content for her brochure. He and she is dreaming if they believe all that stuff. Of course it is easy to make things up and ask someone to print them.
War she created with the Sheriff? Not sure what you mean. Perhaps you are referring to the pathetic Sheriff’s Deputy coverage we get out here(one Deputy per 10k residents), but that problem has existed for all of Rupf’s 14 year term. She’s only been in office a little over 3 years. The real problem there, IMO, is the Sheriff does not care one iota about far East County and the facts on the ground show this. It’s bare minimum coverage just this side of being criminal based on the population and the contributing tax base. Many Supervisors have come and gone during his tenure and the problem has not changed, so how did you reach this conclusion the blame is on one person? I’m curious.
And if the service is so stellar, why did San Ramon drop their contract?
The Sheriff has had FUNDED positions that he hasn’t filled for years now. READ THAT AGAIN. He’s gotten the money, but hasn’t filled the slots. I believe those funded slots were as high as 15-20 at one time. That’s almost $2M-$3M in funds for people that don’t get hired(only accounting for one year). I guess you think he gives that money back?? That’s on him, not on anyone outside his department. Don’t know where you’re getting your facts, but the politicking on his part crying poverty every budget cycle isn’t the place to get the straight story.
Finally, the Sheriff picked up an additional $10 million from the proposed budget to the final. In the end, it was a 15% bump over last year. So on what planet does that equate to a cut and don’t feed me that increased costs for maintenance of service line of crap. He talks like he’s the only department with gas using vehicles or employees with benefits. What a line of malarkey.
By the fire commission, do you mean the Joint Task Force? The one with several interests who don’t play well together? The one that Oakley wants to withdraw from? Refereeing that mess is like herding cats, but since you can talk like the answer is so easy, I’m pretty sure they would accept a volunteer to get in there to straighten it out.
You game or you just the one providing the lip service today?