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DeMaio’s Demands
Johnny, just another example of you jumping to conclusions without any actual research. Funny that you didn't read the report after commenting so vehemently about it on the signonsandiego site. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/images/0… While you're at it, read this one: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/images/0… Yes, DeMaio uses Medicare, etc. as a "fringe". That is included in his "61.28%" figure. He even included "Risk Management Administration" as a fringe benefit. The percentages are small, but it's still dishonest to throw that number around when many of the items he uses are mandatory, not "fringe". I'm all for eliminating SPSP and retirement offset which would cut around $42 million from the budget. If cutting SPSP is legal, as DeMaio claims. I'm not sure you could get that through the courts, as it's a vested benefit. The fact remains that the FD alone needs around $80 million to be budgeted properly. The CCDC budget is larger than the FD budget. Employee benefits must be cut, but income must also increase.— January 24, 2009 9:39 a.m.
DeMaio’s Demands
in fact I do not even think he mentions a comparison to any other city. ================== You didn't read DeMaio's report, did you? He compares the percentage of salary to several other cities in an attempt to show that the benefits SD grants is too high. The vast majority receive NO benefits, Johnny? Again, you didn't read DeMaio's report. He lists workers's comp, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, etc. as "benefits". Those are all mandatory for all employers. He even lists Medicare as "fringe benefits". He's doing everything he can to boost that number as high as possible. He's basically being dishonest with his numbers. Just like you.— January 24, 2009 8:28 a.m.
San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing
I have to wonder this: How many people who voted for the ballpark, and thus the pension underfunding, are now screaming about the pension deficit?— January 23, 2009 10:01 p.m.
DeMaio’s Demands
Many of the "fringe benefits" DeMaio speaks of are fixed costs. Not all, but many. For instance, insurance, worker's comp, etc. DeMaio compares the "percentage of salary" for these benefits to the "percentage of salary" of other cities. The fallacy of this is that the cities he compares to pay much more than the city of San Diego. Therefore, the percentage of salary in San Diego is higher. Further, he shows the cost of retirement as approximately 25%. This is accurate -- but only because the city council failed to pay the bill when it was due. The normal cost of retirement is around 13-14%. Amortization of debt doubles the bill. The only reason the cost is higher is because the city is now paying the piper for past indiscretions. If DeMaio used the "normal cost", the percentage of salary would be a whole lot closer to that of other cities. I do agree with some of the cuts he proposes. But even with all the cuts he proposes, the city cannot fund the programs the citizens demand. Income will need to be increased.— January 23, 2009 9:56 p.m.
Union-Tribune Slashing Wages and Benefits, Warning of More Staff Reductions
Yes... right around the time Paxton wrote, "I don't want a bunny wunny in my little row boat, in my little row boat with me..." Remember that? I think it was Carter who beat on the swimming rabbit with his rowboat oar.— January 23, 2009 5:14 p.m.
San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing
Nothing new about that. You can claim all you want that benefits are excessive. It doesn't matter what they are if you don't pay the bill. Again, several different solutions are needed. All at the same time. So far, the only one anyone has seriously offered is "screw the employees".— January 23, 2009 5:12 p.m.
Union-Tribune Slashing Wages and Benefits, Warning of More Staff Reductions
Don, Perhaps more appropriate for today's times would be Tom Paxton. "I'm changing my name to Chrysler, I'm going down to Washington DC. I will tell those power brokers what they did for Iacocca will be perfectly acceptable to me. When they hand the million grand out, I'll be standing with my hand out, baby I'll bet mine."— January 22, 2009 9:20 p.m.
Union-Tribune Slashing Wages and Benefits, Warning of More Staff Reductions
Now, what part of that do you not understand? -------------------------- Why you thought I really cared all that much about your background.— January 22, 2009 9:16 p.m.
Union-Tribune Slashing Wages and Benefits, Warning of More Staff Reductions
I never said Johnny was obese. He claims to be in excellent shape. Last year, he claimed he was in excellent shape for a 44 year older. I believe that this year he said he was a bit older, 48 I think it was. Whatever. I simply said that obesity alone disqualifies over half the population from getting hired. Add in a lack of language skills. Add in a clean record. In Los Angeles, more than 40% of students do not graduate high school. As Johnny points out a HS diploma or GED is required. Obviously, those percentages overlap in some people. In any event, the number of available candidates goes down quickly. Pete Seeger is a great musician and a heck of a guy. I'm still sorry I didn't take the opportunity to work with him on the Hudson River project when I had the chance. I forgot to comment on your Tom Leher quote the other day. I was out poisoning pigeons in the park. Well, I was going to.. but Aguirre stopped me.— January 22, 2009 5:35 p.m.
Union-Tribune Slashing Wages and Benefits, Warning of More Staff Reductions
Um, you wanted to be a cop, you became a teacher instead. So you changed your mind. Or are you saying you never wanted to be a cop in the first place? You forgot a couple of things about the qualifications for PD and FD jobs. You need to be able to pass the physical. Over half the residents of California are considered obese. That eliminates them. You also need to be able to read, write and speak English at least passably well. Roughly 40% of residents do not speak English at home. That's not to say that they don't qualify, they may well speak English very well. In fact, they may be preferable. Santa Ana requires a second language before getting hired.— January 22, 2009 4:04 p.m.