“Currently, California has a an $8.8 billion budget surplus.”
Well, when you have 1 Trillion in unfunded pensions, 8 billion in budget surplus will maybe get you a cup of coffee: https://www.ocregister.com/2018/04/06/with-california-taxpayers-facing-a-1-trillion-unfunded-pension-liability-lawmakers-focus-on-foam-and-plastic-straws/
Pensions are an issue in all states, especially those with budget deficits.
California is not one of them.