PENSIONS/BUDGET

Patrick lays out new pension system reforms

Belmont Citizen-Herald, Belmont, MA

Posted Jan 18, 2011 @ 07:35 PM  Last update Jan 18, 2011 @ 07:37 PM

Boston, Mass. — Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday pressed for an increase in state employee retirement age and a change to the way state pensions are calculated as he rolled out new proposals to ensure that the state’s pension system remains affordable.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/belmont/newsnow/x512665533/Patrick-lays-out-new-pension-system-reforms

Council sets priorities for Springfield lobbying

Chicago Sun-Times, Naperville, IL

Last Modified: Jan 19, 2011 03:24AM

Pensions will top the list of priorities in Springfield for the Naperville City Council again this year.

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/3376669-418/pension-council-employees-reform-list.html

Pension system changes must solve problems

Vineland Daily Journal, Vineland, NJ

January 18, 2011

Taking a smaller, more measured step can provide more dividends than a sweeping change that looks impressive on the surface, but doesn't address any of the underlying fundamental problems.

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20110118/OPINION01/101180335

Battle begins over San Jose pension costs

San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, CA

Posted: 01/16/2011 12:00:00 AM PST   Updated: 01/16/2011 10:55:12 AM PST

As growing pension costs devour San Jose's budget and drive chronic deficits that have outraged voters, many unionized city employees are coming to accept that reduced retirement benefits for new hires is unavoidable.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17101007

Pension liability concerns officials

Money that's been promised to public employees after they retire may be more than cities could pay out then.

Daily Pilot, Costa Mesa, CA

January 14, 2011 | 7:48 p.m.

NEWPORT BEACH — Officials here like to boast about the city's recent AAA bond rating, and how its finances are on a sound footing. But when it comes to its employees' pensions, Newport, just like governments across the country, is in bad shape.

http://www.dailypilot.com/news/tn-dpt-0115-pension-20110114,0,1940615.story

City Pension Reform Plan Gets Cold Reaction From Unions

San Diego 6, San Diego CA
Last Update: 1/14 8:22 pm

SAN DIEGO - A pension showdown is brewing between the city and unions. The city faces a 2.1 billion dollar pension deficit. The city wants to negotiate a deal with the unions.

http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/story/City-Pension-Reform-Plan-Gets-Cold-Reaction-From/pCeAsHwStEOBM8bl17EDdw.cspx

Governor Christie details further health benefit reform measures

Examiner.com, Denver, CO

January 15th, 2011 12:28 am ET

Governor Christie continues his fight to restore fiscal integrity to New Jersey public employee pension plans as disclosed by Angela Delli Santi. The most recent battleground was Paramus, New Jersey where the Governor spoke before a receptive crowd of about 500 people. As Christie explained overly generous medical and dental benefit packages threaten to torpedo a system where pay outs exceed incoming revenue. That pattern will eventually bankrupt any pension program.

http://www.examiner.com/ocean-county-conservative-in-newark/governor-christie-details-further-health-benefit-reform-measures

Public vote on Long Beach pension reform uncertain

Mayor faces hurdles to carry out changes proposed in State of City speech.

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA

Posted: 01/15/2011 09:03:46 PM PST  Updated: 01/15/2011 09:26:47 PM PST

LONG BEACH — The city is still abuzz about Mayor Bob Foster's State of the City Address last week, in which he threatened city labor groups with a ballot measure on pension reform if they don't agree to his pension plan.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_17109510?nclick_check=1

City's benefits tab: $544M

Actuary testifies for Stockton in labor dispute

Stockton Record, Stockton, CA

January 16, 2011

STOCKTON - The long-term cost of Stockton's retiree medical plan is ballooning out of control, with estimates placing it at more than 11/2 times the city's entire operating budget, a city consultant testified Saturday.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110116/A_NEWS/101160327/-1/a_news14

Ankeny's police, fire pension contribution to increase

DesMoinesRegister.com, Des Moines IA

January 18, 2011

City's payment to the state retirement plan for police and firefighters will peak at 37 percent of employee's salary.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110118/NEWS/101180336/-1/BUSINESS04/Ankeny-s-pension-contribution-to-nearly-double

Third ambulance crew at issue
Mishawaka union at odds over logistics.

South Bend Tribune, South Bend, IN

Article published Jan 17, 2011
By JOSEPH DITS Tribune Staff Writer
MISHAWAKA - The firefighters union, paramedics and city officials all agree that the Mishawaka Fire Department must add a third ambulance crew on each 24-hour shift.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20110117/News01/110119632/1130

Toledo swears in 10 Ottawa Hills firefighters

13abc.com, Toledo, OH

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

TOLEDO, OH (WTVG) -- Toledo has ten new firefighters. The Ottawa Hills firefighters were sworn in under a deal between the village and city of Toledo.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7905547

SM Council OKs changes in police benefits

Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, CA

Posted: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 12:00 am

Santa Maria police officers want equal treatment in their retirement benefits, and city administration is trying to trim those skyrocketing costs. The conflict left the city and the Santa Maria Police Officers’ Association at an impasse in contract negotiations.

http://www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_b24e7576-239a-11e0-88bb-001cc4c03286.html

LAYOFFS/CONTRACTS/SAFER

Firefighters face demotions, station closures

ABC12.com, Flint, MI

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

FLINT (WJRT) -- (01/18/11) -- The Flint Fire Department is preparing for possible station closures and demotions.

http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=7904735

Religious leaders call for reprieve from mass layoffs

Cherry Hill Courier Post, Cherry Hill, NJ

January 18, 2011

CAMDEN — On the steps of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Camden's Cramer Hill section, religious leaders Monday called for a reprieve from massive layoffs of police, firefighters and other city employees.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20110118/NEWS01/101180342/Religious-leaders-call-for-reprieve-from-mass-layoffs

Brown calls for cutbacks in firefighter crews

abc7.com, Glendale, CA

Monday, January 17, 2011

SACRAMENTO (KABC) -- Governor Jerry Brown is calling for cutbacks in state firefighting crews to save money. But will that put more homes in danger when wildfires break out?

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/state&id=7903758

Linden firefighters defeat proposal, face layoffs

myCentralJersy.com, Somerville, NJ 

January 18, 2011

LINDEN — Seven city firefighters will be laid off next week and two fire lieutenants demoted after a proposal to save their jobs failed to win the fire union's approval.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110118/NEWS/101180348/Linden-firefighters-defeat-proposal-face-layoffs

Fremont seeking grant funds for more firefighters

Fremont Tribune, Fremont, NE

Posted: Saturday, January 15, 2011 3:20 am

Leaders of the Fremont Fire Department are playing a waiting game.

http://fremonttribune.com/news/local/article_266c107e-206e-11e0-ac30-001cc4c03286.html

Fire contract ready to come up for vote

Wauwatosa Now, Waukesha, WI

Posted: Jan. 19, 2011 12:40 p.m.

Under a tentative contract reached by the city and the fire union, firefighters' wages would not increase in 2011.

http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/114218124.html