Now that backers of a major pension overhaul have ended their attempt to qualify a November ballot measure, any changes to California's public employee retirement system this year will have to come from the Democratic-controlled legislature.
That's a big concern to Republican State Senator Mimi Walters who said, "I think that that will take pressure off of the legislature to move forward on real, comprehensive pension reform."
Senate President Darrell Steinberg insists Democrats will address even the most controversial elements of Governor Jerry Brown's 12-point proposal. Steinberg said, "We think we can deal with the hybrid issue. We think we can deal with the retirement age issue. And we're gonna move forward and get that job done," but not necessarily in the exact way the governor suggests. For example, Steinberg said, there are different ways to structure a "hybrid" pension system.
The Senate President says he expects to send legislation to the governor by the time lawmakers pass a budget in June.
