Why government is so expensive in California
July 25, 2008
Michael Shires, professor of Public Policy at Pepperdine scratches the itch of why government is so expensive in California; including local county and municipal governments. Shires argues that it is just not a matter of increased taxes v. cutting services; this is how Democrats and Republicans in the California legislature paint the picture. Rather, revenue declines are only a small part of the problem. While services and their cost actually do not increase, the annual increase of secretly negotiated salary, benefits, and cost-of-living increases benefitting unionized public employees is killing budgets, savings, and family finances statewide. Read more
Contra Costa Supervisors thumb nose at Grand Jury Report
June 24, 2008
The Contra Costa County Supervisors (BOS) revved up its dissembling machine last week and thumbed its collective nose at the recent Grand Jury Report (GJR) that recommended seven action items. In its “Supervisors Chip Away at County’s Mountain of Debt,” the GJR outlined 31 matters of fact, seven modest recommendations, and concluded that: Read more
Board of Supervisors’ 40% OPEB solution not good enough; defeat Piepho and Glover
May 28, 2008
At a recent CoCo Tax meeting, Daniel Borenstein of the Contra Costa Times, presented a summary of his detailed OPEB research. Even if the BOS makes good on its promise to prefund $20 million; Even if it ever gets around to adding a $588 million chunk by 2022-23; Even if it can pay $100 million dollars a year thereafter; Even if the County implements the proposed benefits changes to unrepresented workers, the County would still be $54 million short of 40-percent funding and still leave a 60 percent or $1.042 Billion balance due. Furthermore, even if the BOS added the same benefits changes to unionized employees, the County would still owe $705 million after 30 years. This is simply not acceptable. Read more
OPEN MIKE: Urgent change is needed; defeat Piepho
May 26, 2008
Urgent change is needed in Contra Costa County. The county Board of Supervisors has been totally reckless with money. Read more
Voter compares records of Supervisor Piepho and Assemblyman Houston
May 19, 2008
When I make a decision to mark my ballot, I do my homework first. When it comes to choosing a candidate, I look at their record and pretty much ignore their campaign promises. It can be a real eye opener. Read more
Grand Jury chides Contra Costa Supervisors for failure to make meaningful change to County OPEB debt
May 17, 2008
Contra Costa County has reached a critical juncture regarding its escalating retiree health care benefit costs. The unfunded financial liability is now estimated to be approximately $1.74 billion. That figure is more than Contra Costa County’s total annual operating budget, and nearly equal to the unfunded liabilities for Alameda, Orange, and San Diego Counties combined. Read more
Where in the world are Supervisors Peipho and Glover?
May 2, 2008
After watching the local broadcast of the Supervisor debates, I have to ask…Where in the world are Supervisors Mary Piepho (D3) and Federal Glover (D5)? More accurately, what planet do they live on these days, as these two incumbent Contra Costa Supervisors (BOS) tell tall tales of accomplishment and leadership that does not have anything to do with reality, on this planet at least. Read more
New drug helps County Supervisors campaign for reelection
April 21, 2008
Click thru to the full story to see how Liagra has helped Contra Costa Supervisors standing for reelection get over telling the truth about the County budget, OPEB costs, and giveaway contracts to public employees! Read more
County proposes separate benefits tier for new hires
April 11, 2008
County Administrator John Cullen gave a preview this week of the health benefits plan he will present to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors (BOS) on April 15. Cullens report only covers current non-union employees and those who have retired from unrepresented positions. The recommendations include:
- No dual coverage
- Employees must enter Medicare at 65
- New Health Care tier for new hires beginning 2009
- Pursue Portability and cost savings
- Develop Task Force
- Fix health care subsidy at 2009 levels
Sticking it to non-union workers may be a timid but smart way to start the necessary cuts that should come from unionized classes as well. Despite the positive impact this could have on the current $2.6 Billion OPEB debt, one observer said, “Cullen is finally proposing the right thing. It should have come sooner as the BOS locked taxpayers into recent contracts including fire and the nurses.”
