Gov. Jerry Brown Asks for More Time on Calif. Pensions

by Judy Lin
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown is asking for more time to negotiate public pension reform with state lawmakers.

Although Brown issued a comprehensive proposal last fall, Democratic leaders only sent him their plan on Sunday.

Brown’s spokesman Gil Duran says the governor “could not agree to some of the changes in the pension counterproposal.” He says such complex issues cannot be resolved by the end of this week, when lawmakers take a monthlong recess.

The governor wants to increase the retirement age from 55 to 67 for new, non-public safety employees and have local and state government workers pay more toward their pensions and retiree health care.

Brown’s proposal would put new workers in a hybrid plan that includes 401(k)-style accounts.

San Diego and San Jose recently passed changes.