How it worked under Gray Davis

A lawsuit claiming Sonoma County illegally increased its pensions 16 years ago could open the door to benefit reductions for public workers around the state.But before the legality of the pension increase is even addressed, the man who filed the suit has to convince an appellate court that his case isn’t barred by the three-year statute of limitations.George Luke, 75, of Santa Rosa claimed in a 2017 lawsuit that Sonoma County didn’t meet state requirements when it increased pension benefits for public workers in 2003.State law requires local governments to hire actuaries to estimate impacts of proposed benefit increases and to post the estimates publicly before making a decision. Luke, a retired lawyer who was representing himself in the lawsuit, claimed Sonoma County didn’t do those things.

This happened to my home county, Fresno. The county board just voted themselves increased pension benefits and took our a general obligation bond of a billion dollars.

It seems perfectly legal, though the voters are only about half literate,  they were unaware.  California law is pretty specific, if elected officials grant themselves goodies, it is up to the electorate to have reading skills, we don't have those skills in Fresno, California. Other than this lawyer, they do not have good reading skills in Sonoma County either.

Nothing do be done except have a squeeze and a meeting of the elders. Like the California Rule, the majority of the electorate should have known the rule, should have had it explained by their elected officials. If not, then have a squeeze and a meeting of the elders. Sorry voters, pay attention.