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By PORAC | March 18, 2014 | Posted in PORAC LDF News

Cbm Public Sector Labor Group Eblast: San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed Loses Lawsuit on Statewide Pension Reform Ballot Measure

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s 2014 statewide pension reform initiative suffered what seems to be a fatal blow for this year. This afternoon, a Sacramento County trial court rejected a lawsuit challenging the wording that the Attorney General, Kamala Harris, used in the state’s required, official summary of the measure. Reed and four other California mayors behind the initiative argued that the first sentence in Harris’ summary was misleading in that it told voters the measure would “eliminate constitutional protections” for public workers, “including teachers, nurses and peace officers.” But the very word objected to – “eliminate” – is exactly how Reed has publicly described the effect of the measure on vested rights.

Despite the weakness of his arguments, Reed pushed forward, seeking rewording of the measure’s summary. He also objected to the summary naming the largest groups that could be impacted: peace officers, nurses, and teachers.
The court shot down Reed’s arguments because he failed to prove Harris’ ballot summary was false, misleading, or biased. The measure is now at a standstill. Reed said it is unlikely to make the 2014 ballot. But there is speculation as to whether or not the measure will be re-launched for the November 2016 election.

Please contact Amber Griffiths at 415-743-2228 with any questions.