League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Stanislaus County, CA November 8, 2011 Election
	Measure R Advisory Vote City of Modesto Advisory Vote Only Pass: 17,482 / 75.10% Yes votes ...... 5,797 / 24.90% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure R

Arguments Against Measure R

Should the City of Modesto: Seek to avoid "pension spiking" by city employees by moving to an average of the last three years salary as baseline rather than the current last single highest year? Yes or No. Pension spiking allows public employees to set their retirement benefits by the highest single year of pay. Doing so creates an artificially high baseline for setting retirement benefits. The City of Modesto has already moved to prevent future employees from engaging in pension spiking, however, nothing prevents current public employees from doing that. This advisory measure will encourage future councils to take measures to end pension spiking. This would most likely take the form of requiring the city to determine pension benefit levels by averaging the employee's last three years, instead of basing that number on just the single top- earning year. If we do not make this change, then the City of Modesto will have to turn to increased taxes or reduce services to fund the costs of public pensions. Please join with business groups, taxpayer advocates, and residents of Modesto from all avenues of life in supporting this measure to ensure the fair determination of all public pension benefits for current employees by keeping their benefit determination in line with that of future public employees. /s/ Brad Hawn, Vice Mayor City of Modesto /s/ Cecil Russell, President and CEO, Modesto Chamber of Commerce /s/ Dave Thomas, President, Stanislaus Taxpayers Association /s/ Janice E. Keating, Former Modesto City Councilmember Rebuttal to Arguments For As Ronald Reagan said, "here they go again." Brad Hawn knows that pension spiking in the City of Modesto is illegal. Modesto and its employees have already agreed to a three-year average salary for pension compensation purposes. Brad Hawn is now asking for an advisory vote on whether the City of Modesto should do something that he has already voted to do. Brad Hawn's claims about increasing taxes and reducing services if Measure R fails are political doubletalk. Brad Hawn knows better. Don't be fooled by politicians who are trying to create issues and enemies to further their personal ambitions. Brad Hawn and the City of Modesto refused to hold committee hearings and conduct a financial review of this measure. They want the true cost to taxpayers hidden. Beware of politicians who say "trust us" instead of giving facts and figures. /s/ Adam Christianson /s/ Susan Azevedo, Businesswoman /s/ Tim Tietjen, President, Modesto City Firefighters Association /s/ Diana L. May, Crime Victim Advocate /s/ Will E. O'Bryant, Former Councilman

Measure R is more political grandstanding by the city council! The city and Modesto's employees have already agreed to move to the three year average calculation for pension purposes. Do they want to change now? M Measure R is not needed, is poorly worded, and is nothing more than political grandstanding. Pension reform is a serious issue. Measure R is not a serious measure. Both the city of Modesto and its employee associations agree to the three year average concept for new employees. Let's not fix something that isn't broken. No one supports pension spiking. Do not let the politicians undermine significant reform with phoney advisory elections designed to mislead and confuse. Measure R is a costly ballot measure that will change nothing, will accomplish nothing. It only serves to provide conveinent cover for politicians who want to claim to have done something positive during their long years in office. Don't reward do nothing politicians! Vote No on Measure R! /s/ Laurie A. Smith, President, Modesto Confidential Management Association /s/ Antonio Arguelles, President, Modesto Police Officer's Association Rebuttal to Arguments Against Measure R will allow the people of Modesto to have their voices heard the next time the City Council negotiates labor agreements. Public employee unions want to continue the practice of pension spiking which allows public employees to artificially boost their final year pay and increase their retirement. The City of Modesto already moved to prevent future employees from engaging in pension spiking, but current employees are able to continue spiking their pensions. Measure R is simply an advisory measure to encourage future city councils to stop pension spiking. Vote YES on Measure R. Join with business groups, taxpayer advocates and residents of Modesto from all avenues of life in supporting a fiscally responsible Modesto. /s/ Donna Worley, Resident /s/ Nancy Hinton, Retired School Teacher /s/ Sandra Ogden, Retired UC Administration /s/ Angela A. Anderson /s/ Linda Alexander, Resident