Washington Examiner — Jan. 22, 2020 Soaring public pension costs are driving a wave of tax hikes across California, but many officials are reluctant to admit that fact. Instead, voters are told […]
FBI special agent still collecting CalPERS disability pension
In an op-ed for today’s San Diego Union-Tribune, I describe how the recent court ruling in our CalPERS lawsuit will be used to undermine governmental transparency across the state. I also take aim at […]
California’s 100k club grows as tax hikes mount
Our recent report on California’s exploding $100K club has generated quite a bit of coverage, perhaps none better than the recent Orange County Register editorial, “California’s 100k club grows as tax hikes mount.” The editorial […]
Growth in teacher pay dwarfed by soaring health, retirement benefits
A rapid rise in the cost of retirement and health benefits is dwarfing wage growth at many California school districts, according to an analysis of newly released 2017 public pay data from […]
Ignoring risk hides pension costs from policymakers
A new rule currently being considered by the Actuarial Standards Board would finally require public pensions to meaningfully account for risk. In a commentary for the Voice of San Diego, I explain how […]
Marin County promised pension benefits up nearly 1000%, dwarfing rate of economic growth
The total pension benefits promised by Marin County increased 982 percent from 1986-2016 — a rate 58 times greater than the cumulative increase in the county’s population, according to a just-released analysis […]
2018 a decisive year for reining in pensions
A great column by Jody Morales on the impact court rulings in 2018 might have for public pensions: Many noted reporters and columnists proclaim that every new tax is a pension tax. […]
An easy solution to the teacher shortage
In today’s Washington Examiner I highlight the unfair burden public pension plans impose on today’s teachers and students. A slice: CCSD could boost teacher pay, at no extra cost, if lawmakers allowed it to […]
Don’t wait for next bankruptcy wave
A new op-ed published in the Vallejo Times-Herald highlights the devastating effects that the public pension crisis can have on communities. A slice: When public pension systems miss their investment target, taxpayers are […]
Unfunded liabilities in Marin County top $1 billion
Update 8/22/16: We have learned that the City of Larkspur adopted OPEB reforms earlier this year which were not reflected in the most recent annual financial statements used for this analysis. As such, they would […]
Transparent California 