The Maddy Report- California 2011 Part 3 Public Employee Pensions

Newly elected Governor Jerry Brown is warning Californians to be prepared for a "tough budget for tough times.His comments come as no surprise to those who have been warning that California has been living beyond its means since the go-go days of the dot-com boom pushed state revenues to unsustainable levels.Now, the State's $1.7 trillion economy is crippled by a severe recession and the one time budget gimmicks that have papered over the problem in the past are no longer available. Expectations are that 2011 will usher in further deep cuts to education and social services and less generous pensions, as well as a push to unload of many current state responsibilities onto local governments. As a result, the politics of the future may be fought at the local level, as the State tosses the hot potato decisions to either cut services or increase taxes to mayors and city councils. Can Gov. Brown, who has pledged to cut spending, reform pensions, give more authority to local governments and ease regulations, enact such plans in the face of reluctant Democrats and suspicious Republicans? And how will these changes impact issues important to the San Joaquin Valley like water, high speed rail and economic growth? We will discuss the Political Outlook in California for 2011—and how it is likely to impact the San Joaquin Valley—with folks from the region's leading newspapers.Jim Boren, the editorial page editor of the Fresno Bee,Dianne Hardisty, former editorial page editor of the Bakersfield Californian, Paul Hurley, the editorial page editor of the Visalia Times Delta, and Judy Sly, the editorial page editor of the Modesto Bee

In Part 3, the panel discusses the issue of Public Employee Pension reform in the aftermath of the City of Bell scandal.

Category:

Education

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• Maddy
• Report
• California
• 2011