A council majority took a huge step last night by agreeing to agendize a possible move to put binding arbitration and the city’s ability to make pension reductions on the June ballot. The issue was brought forth by Councilmember Andrew Carter and supported by council members Dan Carpenter and Kathy Smith (Ashbaugh, Marx, no). City staff will now develop a staff report with various options to be discussed at a special meeting next Tuesday evening.

The council must take action in the next few weeks for the subject to be included in a potential early June statewide special election called for by Gov. Jerry Brown. The Chamber has led the fight against binding arbitration since it was first proposed in 2000.

All of the Chamber's predictions made then about how binding arbitration would lead to unsustainable salary and pension costs for public safety employees have since become reality.

The Chamber Board will discuss possible Chamber action at tomorrow morning’s Board meeting. Click here to provide your input for the discussion.