CFFR has won another court victory on disclosure of public employee pension information.

On Wednesday, the judge in the case California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility v. Orange County Retirement System entered an order concluding that OCERS must provide to CFFR the retiree names, gross retirement amounts, and an identification of the prior public employer of each retiree. 

The order by Orange County Superior Court Judge Luis Rodriquez is similar to orders entered in previous lawsuits on this issue in Contra Costa County and Stanislaus County.  All three have concluded that the requested records are public.

CFFR was represented in the case by Tim Bittle, Director of Legal Affairs for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

To read or download the court order click here, and for more background on the Orange County case click here. To read about the Contra Costa County case, click here or here.

The Orange County Taxpayers Association has sent the following letter to the Board of Supervisors saying that  “structural reform of future benefits is essential” in bargaining with the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs:

OCTAX

Orange County Taxpayers Association  �
30205 Hillside Terrace
San Juan Capistrano CA 92675-1542  

January 10, 2010 

The Honorable Pat Bates, Chair, Orange County Board of Supervisors
333 West Santa Ana Boulevard
Santa Ana CA 92701 

Dear Chairwoman Bates, 

The Orange County Taxpayers Association (OCTax) understands that your Honorable Board of Supervisors is bargaining with the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS).  

The time is propitious.  When public employee advocates such as former Speaker Willie Brown, the Public Employees’ Retirement Journal and CalPERS’ chief actuary all acknowledge that existing retirement and health benefits are “unsustainable,” even the most fervent unionists probably would agree (if only behind the closed doors of the bargaining room).

OCTax can’t hear the discussion in your meetings with AOCDS.  We hope it isn’t quibbling over “a little more of this, a little less of that.”  Structural reform of future benefits is essential.   

Since – oh, about 1889 – previous Boards of Supervisors lacked the gumption to tackle this issue. 

Your Board has a good record so far.  In 2006, you reduced the costs of two other unions’ retiree health care by about $900 million.  In 2008, voters approved your Measure J, which gives the public the power to approve future pension increases.  (OCTax co-signed the ballot argument with then-Chairman Moorlach.)  In 2009, you gave employees a choice between the traditional defined-benefit pension and a new defined-contribution plan; it is unclear how much money this will save, but simply introducing the defined-contribution concept was a dramatic step forward.       

Please continue this course of structural reform.  Act decisively and judiciously now.  Otherwise, a future Board will be forced to act decisively, but will be unable to act judiciously because the   County budget will have been eviscerated.  Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.  At a bare minimum, you and AOCDS must negotiate a new tier of less lavish benefits for future employees, and existing employees should contribute substantially toward their existing benefits.    

OCTax harbors no malice toward AOCDS or other public employees.  On the contrary, we say often and publicly that they are equal to employees in the private sector and deserve equal pay and benefits.  We want them on the job.  But if the County goes broke, their jobs will disappear.    

Sincerely,

Reed L. Royalty, President

cc: Vice Chair Nguyen; Supervisors Moorlach, Campbell, and Norby

You can download the letter (MS Word) here.