The California governor has called for increased pension reforms for public sector workers, and cities and counties are looking to reduce their own costs. Analysis has shown that California could save over a billion dollars if the reforms proposed by the governor are implemented. The cities and counties say that the reforms are necessary, but critics say that they unfairly penalize public workers. Others point out that most of the reforms only apply to new workers, and that the savings will not be seen for years.
See "Cash-strapped cities want workers to contribute more to pensions", Catherine Saillant, Los Angeles Times, November 27, 2011