Written by
Nannette Miranda, ABC7
SACRAMENTO, CA - In an unusual move, virtually all Republican state lawmakers endorsed Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown's 12-point pension plan that includes putting new hires into some sort of hybrid plan partly counting the stock market through 401K's and raising the retirement age.
At least 36 GOP votes are guaranteed, curbing what they call overly-generous and unaffordable benefits.
"Today, we are stepping up to the plate, showing Republicans are united behind the governor's plan," Assembly Minority Leader Assm. Connie Conway said. "It's up to the governor to get Democrats on board."
Of course, things can't be that easy at the Capitol; when one party likes something, the other typically doesn't, especially on a touchy subject like pensions.
Brown is traveling to Washington D.C.; his office said the need for pension reform is urgent and will continue to work with the Legislature.
Lawmakers have been holding hearings on his plan.
But, Democrats said they can't accept it as-is without some vetting.
"We're the Legislature. Our job is to look at the bills and look at legislation and develop it," said Assm. Warren Furutani, D-South Los Angeles County. "Not just accept whole-hog anything anybody gives us."
Public employee unions, which have given some $600 million in concessions under former Gov. Schwarzenegger, said changes are fine only if they ensure retirement security, which pensions provide.
"Republicans have no right to now take advantage of a situation to try and undermine people's security in this state," The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spokesperson Wille Pelote said. "A 401k plan gambles on Wall Street. Good luck with that."
While 3 percent of the state budget goes to pensions, that's about $3 billion this year, and the figure skyrockets in future years.
Republicans said that's money that can't be used for schools, roads and law enforcement.
Nannette Miranda
ABC7
ABC7/KGO