2 California cities voters embrace pension cuts

[cali]

By ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press – 41 minutes ago

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Voters in two major California cities overwhelmingly approved cuts to retirement benefits for city workers in what supporters said was a mandate that may lead to similar ballot initiatives in other states and cities that are struggling with mounting pension obligations.

Supporters had a simple message to voters in San Diego and San Jose: Pensions for city workers are unaffordable and more generous than many private companies offer, forcing libraries to slash hours and potholes to go unfilled.

"The public is frustrated," said San Diego Councilman Carl DeMaio, a Republican who staked his mayoral bid on the pension measure and advanced to a November runoff in Tuesday's election to lead the nation's eighth-largest city.

In San Diego, 66 percent voted in favor of Proposition B, while 34 percent were opposed. Nearly 97 percent of precincts were tallied by early Wednesday.

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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iCau7NdOcNOLOcNqeHJX1T7ApNbA?docId=369e8b9f550b491cbd32653048a751d0

[rfranklin]

1. As Scott Walker said, "Divide and conquer..."

People are so fucking stupid.

[DiverDave]

2. They gave up WAGES for those!

God, I cannot believe people would STEAL from others.
They were PROMISED that money.

Just because THEY didnt join a union and get a pension,
they think EVERYBODY should be in the same boat.
I don't see how this can stand up in court.

[rurallib]

3. I fear this will be the next trend - public workers have been successfully

made the scape goats for bad decisions at all levels.
My guess is this will sweep the country. And the Republican governors mayors etc. can wipe their hands saying that "the people did it."
And the Kochs can light their cigars with thousand dollar bills knowing they are the real winners and they pull the strings of those mayors and governors.