Regarding the recent editorial concerning our Democratic Governor’s defense of taxpayers against a lawsuit brought forward by labor unions, I say BRAVO, Governor Brown. Defending the abolishment of pension spiking is sorely needed. Presently, California has approximately $206 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. Taxpayers are on the hook for this entire amount, which will cause both near term pain and ultimately encumber the next generation in debt. With more and more of the state budget being spent on untenable pensions, less tax revenue is available for spending on roads and other infrastructural improvements, K-12 education, and public safety. Ballooning annual pension payments may also explain why tax increases typically result in little or no additional government services for residents, despite expectations to the contrary. Rolling back the baby steps that have been made in the name of progress would lead to an outcome local taxpayers can ill afford.

Pierluigi Oliverio
Former San Jose City Councilmember