San Diego County Taxpayers Association Plans Vigorous Campaign for CPR Initiative
(San Diego) – San Diego’s leading taxpayer advocacy group says it will leverage all its resources in the campaign for the Comprehensive Pension Reform (CPR) ballot measure now that the San Diego City Clerk has certified the measure for the ballot with 115,991 valid signatures.
The groundbreaking pension reform measure – a result of collaboration among elected officials and community groups, and SDCTA leadership efforts – would save up to $2 billion according to a comprehensive financial analysis released in June.
“We have never had a better opportunity to achieve real, lasting reform in the City of San Diego’s pension system and put the city on the road to restoring its financial health,” said Lani Lutar, President and CEO of SDCTA.
“Although the strength of the signature gathering tells us that San Diego voters support our reform efforts, we know the initiative will be subject to strong opposition from government labor unions. We will continue to educate voters, provide them the facts, and have confidence that they will make the right decision and approve this measure,” said Lutar.
The Comprehensive Pension Reform (CPR) measure was certified upon the sample count conducted by the City Clerk’s office. The law governing charter changes requires 94,346 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The ballot measure would lead to several changes, including ending pension spiking; requiring city employees to pay a fair share of their pension costs; moving all new employees except police recruits into a 401(k)-type retirement plan; requiring complete and full online disclosure of pension payments to city retirees; and removing the veto power employees have over pension reforms.
If approved, the initiative is expected to serve as a model for other local governments throughout the state and nation, many of which are struggling to reign in soaring pension costs. It would free up millions of dollars for parks, libraries, police, fire and other neighborhood services.
According to law, the City Council must take action within 10 days to place the measure on the ballot.
For more information about Comprehensive Pension Reform for San Diego, please visit: http://www.RealPensionReform.com.
The San Diego County Taxpayers Association is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, dedicated to promoting accountable, cost-effective and efficient government and opposing unnecessary new taxes and fees. Founded in 1945, SDCTA has spent the past 66 years saving the region’s taxpayers millions of dollars, as well as generating information to help educate the public.
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