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<br />9,A-~ <br /> <br />PENSION REFORM from page 1 . . . . . . . <br /> <br />The debate heated up over the past month as <br />both Governor Schwarzenegger and Assembly- <br />man Keith Richman have proposed constitutional <br />amendments that would require that new state <br />and local public employees participate in defined <br />contribution plans, rather than the defined benefit <br />plans currently in place for most public sector <br />employees. <br /> <br />The task force last met on February 3 during <br />the League's City Managers' conference. Their <br />analyses of issues and possible solutions is <br />being aided by the work of an actuary engaged by <br />the League, who is helping the group analyze the <br />short and long term costs or savings under <br />various scenarios. <br /> <br />The goal of the Task Force is to have a <br />"working draft document" submitted to the <br />League's board of directors for consideration at <br />their meeting in Novato, February 24 and 25. <br /> <br />Input and discussion with all stakeholders is <br />also continuing. Among the parties the League <br />has or will met with are the chairs of the Assem- <br />bly and Senate Public Pension Committees, <br />labor, the administration, and the author of ACA 5, <br />Assemblyman Keith Richman. <br /> <br />Two Legislative Hearings on Pension Reform <br /> <br />The Legislature is also reviewing pension <br />reform issues. On February 15, the Senate <br />. Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 will <br />examine the -Budget Implications ofthe <br />Privatization of Public Pensions: Defined Benefit <br />v. Defined Contribution-. On February 16the <br />Assembly Committee on Public Employees, <br />Retirement and Social Security will hold a hear- <br />ing on "The Condition of California's Public <br />Retirement Systems.. Both meetings will be <br />held in the Capitol. <br /> <br />CHAllENGE TO CITY'S INTERPRETATION <br />OF ITS GENERAL PLAN <br /> <br />A recent court of appeal ruling has challenged <br />the long-established principle of substantial defer- <br />ence to a local agency's interpretation of its own <br />regulations and policy documents in the CEQA <br />context. The opinion, in effect, renders negative <br />declarations obsolete. As a result, any project with <br />any likelihood of public opposition will be forced to <br />prepare a much more expensive and time-con- <br />suming Environmental Impact Report. This would <br />be true regardless of whether substantial evidence <br />demonstrates that significant environmental im- <br />pacts may actually result. <br /> <br />The League thanks Audrey WIlliams Pearson of <br />the Office of the City Attorney for the City and <br />County of San Francisco for writing the friend-of- <br />tha-court letter in support of review and letter <br />requesting depublication ofthe opinion. The name <br />of the case is Pocket Protectors v. Citv of Sacra- <br />mento. <br /> <br />LOOKING FOR CALIFORNIA'S BEST TO <br />FILL A POSITION IN YOUR CITY? <br /> <br />Westem City magazine's job opportunity <br />section is the source for job seekers looking <br />for positions in local government. According <br />to our reader survey, the job opportunity <br />section is the best read section of our <br />magazine! <br /> <br />When you place an ad in Western City <br />magazine, it will be posted at no additional <br />charge on our web site, which receives over <br />80,000 hits per month. <br /> <br />Call to place your recruitment ad today! <br /> <br />We Have What you Need <br />800-262-1801 or visit our Website <br />www.westerncity.com <br /> <br />PAGE 4/PRIORITY FOCUS <br /> <br />Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org <br />