A California lawmaker introduced a bill that would eliminate collective bargaining on pension benefits for public employees. While the bill has very little chance of passing due to Democratic control, the legislator said that pensions had to be brought back in line with the private sector. California has $75 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and $52 billion in unfunded health care benefits for retirees. The proposal came hours before a candlelight vigil was held in support of Wisconsin workers, who are protesting their own bill.
See "GOP bill would end California pension bargaining", Don Thompson, San Francisco Chronicle, February 22, 2011