Readers React: Paying out public pensions vs. repairing streets and sidewalks

To the editor: Thank you for your analysis of the Stockton bankruptcy ruling. Unfortunately, the chance that the state Legislature will remove the obstacles to right-sizing public employee compensation in our state is nil. (“Can employees’ pension benefits be cut?,” Editorial, Oct. 30)

Sadly, this means that because of the upcoming tightening of actuarial rules and the continued stonewalling by employees, the ability of cities, counties and even the state to borrow money at an attractive (or perhaps any) rate will be seriously impaired.

Until then, expect taxpayers to pay extra for things like sidewalk and street repair and sewer pipe replacement, which would normally come out of a city’s operating budget.

Continue your efforts to educate the public about the contingent liabilities in the public sector, especially compensation and infrastructure maintenance, so that voters can make informed decisions.

Connie White, Pasadena

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To the editor: I’m fortunate to have retired from the county of Orange, which has its own well-financed retirement system.

Those who complain about “taxpayer-supported pensions” should remember that we who have government pensions earned this compensation by having money deducted from our paychecks. And, by the way, we’re all also taxpayers.

Further, any of us who are eligible for Social Security find that our benefit checks are diminished by the government pension offset. In my case, the reduction made Social Security benefits nonexistent, yet I paid into that system too. Where did that money go?

As taxpayers, I guess we’re supporting ourselves.

Jeanette A. Fratto, Laguna Niguel

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