Cameron Smyth

Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita, issued the following statement tonight after the State Senate and Assembly sent a pension reform package to the Governor’s desk:

“The plan that we passed today is not perfect, but it is a landmark reform that will save taxpayers billions of dollars through sweeping fundamental changes to the way we calculate pension benefits.  I’ve been involved in discussions with the Governor from the very beginning on this issue, and I’m glad that he was able to strike a deal before the end of our legislative session.  He understands that our current system is unsustainable in the long term, and has made pension reform a top priority during his first term.”

“Earlier this year, I introduced legislation that would strip pension benefits from public employees convicted of certain felonies.  That bill died in the Legislature, but is now a key component of this package we sent to the Governor.  Additionally, this will end other abuses like pension spiking, retroactive pension increases, and the purchase of service credit for time not worked.”

“The centerpiece of this deal is a cap on pensionable salaries, along with equal sharing of pension costs between employees and the state.  While we had discussed a hybrid model earlier in the year, it became apparent that a hybrid system would end up costing the state more money than moving to a capped system like the one that was settled on.”

“This is an historic deal that recognizes the important service of public employees, but also protects California taxpayers.  While there is still more work to do, I’m proud that one of my last votes in the Assembly moved the ball forward on pension reform and set the stage for more comprehensive reform next year.”