Plus we have the 5,400 educators getting 100,000+ pensions.
“Plus we have the 5,400 educators getting 100,000+ pensions.”
Here in NJ we have similar problems, which are a huge albatross around the neck of any government (state, county, municipal) in terms of attracting new business or residents. This past winter, as our roads fell into disrepair, many were simply not fixed; the towns had no money to fix them because they were still paying so much for the guys that used to fix them who retired fifteen years ago. These costs killed the US auto industry in their competition with foreign manufacturers, and they’re killing whole areas of the “Rust Belt” in competition with developing areas (the South, for example).
California’s government was furious as the news of their financial straits were publicized; the icing on the cake was when details of the “early release” program in prisons made the news. How could they attract new businesses (or retain existing ones) when they knew they’d be taxed to make up these shortfalls, while crime skyrocketed at the same time?
Hopeless.