Posted on 07/08/2009 7:47:58 AM PDT by SmithL
The state's ongoing budget crisis provides ample evidence that public employee unions wield immense – even hegemonic – influence over the Capitol's Democratic majority.
Every move on the budget affects those drawing public paychecks, and Democrats won't make any move without at least consulting the affected unions. Not only are Democrats highly dependent on the unions for campaign contributions, but an astonishing number of Democratic lawmakers come directly from their ranks.
One of them is Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, whose official biography describes him as "an active member in United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and as a representative to the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the National Education Association." And if anyone doubts the power that they and other unions exert over legislative policy, he or she need look no further than Mendoza's Assembly Bill 155, which cleared the Assembly on a largely party-line vote and is now pending in the Senate.
Spurred by the city of Vallejo's bankruptcy filing, a powerful coalition of public worker unions is sponsoring the legislation that would, in effect, preclude cities, counties and other local governments from seeking bankruptcy protection unless a board dominated by union-friendly Democrats gave its blessing.
The board is the nine-member California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission, which was created 18 years ago to monitor bonds and other public debt and has labored in virtual obscurity ever since.
Mendoza's bill would not only empower the commission to regulate bankruptcy filings but allow it to impose conditions on the filings they do allow, which is the nut of the issue. Local governments that file for bankruptcy may be able to abrogate their labor contracts, but if AB 155 becomes law, the debt commission could – or at least the unions hope they would – block abrogation.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
get a newspaper to publish the city, county and state
unions’ wages and benefits.
Bankruptcy is the alternative to chaos. If a city is bankrupt..no one will give them credit or accept their orders without cash in advance. They can block bankruptcy proceedings, but they can’t make a bankrupt city solvent.
But..they are think they can force the city into increasing taxes..their real objective.
We have weeks and months ahead while CA founders. It will take time..and maybe chaos.
The unions are robbing taxpayers blind.
The public employee unions have bankrupted California and they think they don’t have enough power.
did not know that the Sacramento Bee published a Freaking Obvious section....
But instead of screwing the shareholders & suppliers, it will be the taxpayers!
Why not just turn over the state government to the AFL-CIO and be done with it.
Step 1: “Spurred by the city of Vallejo’s bankruptcy filing, a powerful coalition of public worker unions is sponsoring the legislation that would, in effect, preclude cities, counties and other local governments from seeking bankruptcy protection unless a board dominated by union-friendly Democrats gave its blessing.”
Step 2: preclude businesses from seeking bankruptcy protection unless a board dominated by union-friendly Democrats gave its blessing. (already did that with GM)
Step 3: preclude individuals from seeking bankruptcy protection unless a board dominated by union-friendly Democrats gave its blessing.
How does a monopoly get more power? Stomping on our backs and reaching into our pockets. Forget responsibility and accountability.
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