You can’t trust OCEA labor boss Nick Berardino to deal with the O.C. $4 billion pension debt!
“Just as county leaders begin labor negotiations, there’s talk about the potential of seeking pension ballot measures like those seen earlier this month in San Jose and San Diego,” according to the labor-funded Voice of OC.
Apparently John Moorlach, the chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, has asked County Counsel Nick Chrisos to brief supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting about the terms of the measures in both cities as well as the legal challenges already arising from labor groups.
Moorlach and the other Supervisors have until July 31 to place a pension-related measure on the November General Election ballot. That is of course exactly what they should do!
The County of Orange is currently carrying a $4 billion pension debt load! If we rely on negotiations with labor, including OCEA Chief Nick Berardino, do you really think we will whitlle away at that figure? Not by much!
Of course Berardino and his cronies are focusing on the Supervisors’ pensions. That is a red herring. The voters will need to focus on the real problem – a $4 billion pension bill that we the taxpayers are going to get stuck paying while county workers retire early with fat pensions.
The voters in San Jose and San Diego, blue cities both, voted for pension reform on June 5. Give the voters in Orange County a pension reform ballot measure to vote for and I assure you it will pass!
Absolutely, the time is right. Moorlach should go for it. This especially needs to be done BEFORE Spitzer gets his Chair back and starts defending his pals (and contributors) in public safety.
And let’s take note of who’s driving this. The worthless Janet Nguyen, Bates and termed-out Campbell seems to be taking a back seat. And why didn’t Nelson step forward?
Just another folly on Moorlach’s part. These ballot measures will not withstand a constitutional challenge any more than the lawsuit against the deputies. Perhaps Moorlach can get his buddy Maynard Manero to step up and act as consultant for a few hundred thousand dollars.
The question you should be asking is why Moorlach refuses to give up his pension. He has had no less than 2 times he could have opted out and did not. Instead, in the article, he lets you know that he deserves his pension.
Farenheit – Nelson, besides not taking a pension, knows this is not how to take care of business. While he came in strong for pension reform, he also knows the best way to do it is at the table with all parties in discussion. Moorlach has not learned that lesson. And at least that “worthless Bates” doesn’t take a pension either.