State Senator Lou Correa’s OC pension bill has been approved by Gov. Schwarzenegger
This just in from the County of Orange. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill authored by our own State Senator Lou Correa, that will allow new and current employees represented by certain unions to select between the County’s current pension plan and a new “1.62 @ 65” formula that includes a Defined Contribution benefit.
Correa’s bill should help the County of Orange to get a handle on their pension liability.
Correa has taken a lot of hits this year from the red mob at the Red County blog, but the truth is, he is a very effective legislator, and he has been a huge positive for Orange County over the years.
Here is the press release from the County of Orange:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2009
Contact: Howard Sutter
714.834.6203 office
Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com
Governor Signs OC Pension Bill
(Santa Ana, CA) — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law Senate Bill 752 allowing Orange County to fully implement a new optional tier of pension benefits for many non-safety employees.
The bill, authored by State Senator Lou Correa, allows new and current employees represented by certain unions to select between the County’s current pension plan and a new “1.62 @ 65” formula that includes a Defined Contribution benefit. “This legislation, which was drafted in cooperation with the Orange County Employees Association, represents an important step forward for the County in our efforts to rein in pension expenses while providing new and existing employees another option in planning for retirement,” said Supervisor Patricia C. Bates, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Orange County is committed to reducing our unfunded pension liability to ensure that we do not pass on debt to future generations. Other local governments are already looking to our approach as an example as they deal with similar pension issues.”
According to Senator Correa, the bill benefits all of the stakeholders in this important issue. “As the author of SB 752, I am pleased that all parties collaborated to achieve this success. This solution preserves precious Orange County funds while protecting the pensions of hard-working Orange County employees, a win-win for all, especially Orange County taxpayers.”
Union representatives also noted the timely and collaborative nature of the pension bill. “We are proud to have played a key role in the achievement of this legislation,” said OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino. “It has been designed to protect the employees we represent as well as the citizens of the County. This demonstrates that it is possible for OCEA and the County to work successfully toward solutions that can help working families during these difficult times.”
# # #
voting for that tax increase nulls any effectiveness he may have had. i will never vote for him again in any office.
also the two-tier system is a joke. as a former county employee i would never venture from the exiting system if i intended to work there until i retire. and who wants a 401k given what’s happened to 401k’s and the economy.
This was not a bill conceived by Correa. It was a bill drafted by the County and its major union, OCEA. Correa is the messenger, and being a messenger can be politically dangerous.