California’s Government Worker Pay Raises Greatly Exceed Private Sector
California’s Government Worker Pay Raises Greatly Exceed Private Sector
Workers for the city of Stockton who attended the unveiling Wednesday night of a new report detailing trends in public-employee compensation in California complained about cuts in their compensation packages that are causing hardship for them and their city. But the report, prepared on behalf of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Foundation and released at a...
By Steven Greenhut
Another Union Giveaway Almost Becomes Law
Another Union Giveaway Almost Becomes Law
If California voters grant the state government the billions in higher taxes in Proposition 30 that Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative Democrats have been demanding, those same officials might be expected to squander the money by shoveling even more benefits to already well-compensated government workers. Evidence for such an expectation is a scheme to enrich...
By Steven Greenhut
Unions, Not Lack of Funding, Afflict Public Education
Unions, Not Lack of Funding, Afflict Public Education
It is hard for education reformers to be too optimistic about the post-strike prospects for Chicago schools. The resulting contract significantly boosts teacher pay in exchange for some modest changes such as a lengthened school day and improved teacher testing. As school officials figure out how to pay for the new deal and bolster vastly...
By Steven Greenhut
California Voters Still Embrace Unionized Government
California Voters Still Embrace Unionized Government
California residents are depressed about the economy and see little hope for change in the near future, yet they seem more reluctant than ever to change the current high-tax, union-dominated political course that has led to the struggling economy. As the Field Poll revealed in July, “Californians have had an extremely gloomy view of the...
By Steven Greenhut
Chicago Teacher Strike Pits Liberal Democrats Against Unions
Chicago Teacher Strike Pits Liberal Democrats Against Unions
Chicago’s public school teachers went on strike last week over a modest plan to extend their work day and subject them to the type of standardized performance testing they typically administer to students. The walkout provided a fresh reminder that teachers unions exist to expand the pay and protections for teachers, not to help “the...
By Steven Greenhut
How Union Power Corrupts Police Departments
How Union Power Corrupts Police Departments
City officials across California typically spare police officers from even modest reductions in the pay and pension packages that are a leading cause of municipal budget problems, even when the alternatives are reduced public services or even municipal bankruptcy. The common explanation is that politicians are afraid of the cop unions’ political muscle. That is...
By Steven Greenhut
Can Californians Learn from Progressive Wisconsin and Confront Government Unions?
Can Californians Learn from Progressive Wisconsin and Confront Government Unions?
During recent travels to Madison and Milwaukee for some research about reform-minded Gov. Scott Walker’s survival of a union-backed recall in June, I found little residual anger among the friendly folks there, despite the campaign’s seemingly endless pitched political battles that divided families and led to angry water-cooler discussions. Perhaps the central issue – Walker’s...
By Steven Greenhut
Bankruptcy Won’t Help Cities Unless Courts Permit Reduced Pension Benefits
Bankruptcy Won’t Help Cities Unless Courts Permit Reduced Pension Benefits
Municipal bonds have long been among the safest investments, but a coming wave of municipal bankruptcies in California – and the disturbing way one of those cities is stiffing its bondholders – could change perceptions about the wisdom of lending money to cities. The struggling port city of Stockton has declared bankruptcy after a spending...
By Steven Greenhut
Unions: It’s Just Pension Envy
Unions: It’s Just Pension Envy
Rhode Island’s Democratic state treasurer, Gina Raimondo, is fond of saying that pension reform is about math, not politics. Other blue-state politicians, ranging from New York governor Andrew Cuomo to Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, have moved toward fixing unsustainable pensions. But California’s top statewide political leaders have mostly shrugged at the problems caused by excessive...
By Steven Greenhut
The Bankruptcy Dominoes Begin to Fall in California
The Bankruptcy Dominoes Begin to Fall in California
First, Vallejo, in 2008. Next, Stockton, then Mammoth Lakes and, now, San Bernardino and soon, perhaps, Compton. As Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach told Bloomberg News, the bankruptcy dominoes are starting to fall. One California city after another – following a decade-long spree of ramping up public-employee pay and pension benefits, as well as redevelopment...
By Steven Greenhut
The Bankruptcy Tsunami
The Bankruptcy Tsunami
First Vallejo, then Stockton, then Mammoth Lakes and now San Bernardino. As Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach told Bloomberg News, the bankruptcy dominoes are starting to fall. One California city after another — following a decade-long spree of ramping up public-employee pay and pension benefits, as well as redevelopment debt — are becoming insolvent. Not...
By Steven Greenhut
Fairness prevails in union-dues ruling
Fairness prevails in union-dues ruling
For people who truly are interested in a just and fair society, there’s one easy test for sorting through some seemingly complex issues: Turn the tables. For instance, while considering a controversial law affecting a particular group, it’s best to t getting back with an ex> hink about how fair it would seem if that...
By Steven Greenhut
U.S. Supreme Court Rebukes Union Totalitarianism
U.S. Supreme Court Rebukes Union Totalitarianism
For people who truly are interested in a just and fair society, there’s one easy way to sort through some seemingly complex issues: turn the tables. If, for instance, one is debating a controversial law affecting a particular group, it’s best to think about how fair it would seem if that law were applied in...
By Steven Greenhut
The (Union) Empire Strikes Back
The (Union) Empire Strikes Back
Following big victories for public-pension reform in California, the union empire takes to the courts. The nation’s public-sector unions have become so emboldened by years of political victories, and so insulated from voter concerns, that they apparently never considered the possibility that voters, given a clear choice, would turn against them. Last Tuesday was as...
By Steven Greenhut