BUREAUCRACY WATCH : Listen Up
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has a chance to do some much needed repair to its growing reputation for arrogance and unresponsiveness.
The L.A. County Grand Jury has added its voice to others, calling the county’s costly added pension perks “the height of fiscal irresponsibility.”
Changes in the pension rules that allow fringe benefits to be counted with salaries in calculating retirement pay will cost taxpayers a whopping $265 million over three decades.
The county counsel defended the rule changes as legal and necessary, despite the fact that the Legislature, with the governor’s support, eliminated the state law that county officials claimed had prompted the rule changes in the first place.
The county has run out of excuses that could possibly justify such an unconscionable hike in benefits.
The supervisors went along with this scheme, but they don’t have to continue to tolerate its exposed unfairness. Supervisor Gloria Molina, who was not on the board when the changes were enacted, has called for the hikes to be rescinded. Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, who would stand to receive $26,000 more annually after he retires this year, said he is seriously considering voting with Molina. Supervisor Deane Dana, in a tough reelection race, is also said to be reconsidering.
Major taxpayer groups have filed lawsuits demanding that the supervisors rescind the pension rules.
Supervisors: How about a vote to show you are listening?
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