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California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
JF, I am not against firefighters making a fair wage. In fact, I think the base firefighter pay should probably be higher than $52k. The problem is when firefighters are making over $120,000. I realize there is overtime involved and maybe the OT rate should be reduced (and what is the OT pay rate?). And perhaps the lower level starting wages can be increased but the highest grade salary wages can be reduced, because obviously the ones who have the highest salary rates (chiefs, deputy chiefs, battalion chiefs, etc.) arent likely to leave anyway. Also, defined benefit pensions are not feasonable anymore. Govermnment workers need to be defined contribution plans, like almost everyone else.— April 7, 2008 11:29 a.m.
California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
That list was from an article today, I would guess its a national salary. My point is, paramedics make so much less than firefighters and I;m guessing their pensions and retireee healthcare arent the same either.— April 7, 2008 10:46 a.m.
California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
If firefighters skill includes being trained as paramedics, why are they so highly paid compared to paramedics? Paramedics What they do: Paramedics respond to emergency situations and attempt to provide the necessary medical care, whether it involves transporting patients to a hospital or treating them on the scene. Surprising salary: $27,070. Seeing as paramedics have high stress jobs that require them to be on call and ready to save lives at a moment's notice, you might expect their mean annual salary to be higher.— April 7, 2008 10:10 a.m.
California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
Is this list current and what do these people do that they deserve to make so much? Citywide rank Employee name Department Total wages 1 Joann West Police Department $435,638 2 Ivano G. Paoli Fire Department $350,212 3 Joseph M. Tanner Executive Department $316,688 4 Ronald W. Becker Police Department $299,143 5 James L. Higgins Fire Department $251,094 6 Lamonte K. Morris Fire Department $247,902 7 Russell S. Sherman Fire Department $238,725 8 Richard E. Mackenzie Fire Department $236,701 9 John A. Barbuzano Fire Department $236,467 10 Gordon C. Moncibais Fire Department $233,338 11 Michael Kirchner Fire Department $229,317 12 Gregory R. Falkenthal Fire Department $226,235 13 Alphonzo L. Love Fire Department $223,933 14 Michael Deroque Fire Department $222,755 15 Douglas T. Robertson Fire Department $221,458 16 Kurt P. Henke Fire Department $218,830 17 Raymand R. Dandridge Fire Department $217,920 18 David A. Urrutia Fire Department $215,060 19 Sean Fields Fire Department $214,219 20 William G. Donovan Police Department $213,768 21 Mansfield S. Simmons Fire Department $212,395 22 Herman E. Robinson Police Department $211,556 23 Kevin M. Kelley Police Department $211,382 24 John J. Ha Fire Department $209,547 25 Robert W. Nichelini Police Department $207,294— April 7, 2008 9:41 a.m.
California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
"Justice, the city council is not the primary negotiator for union contracts. They simply approve or reject the contract put before them." They are far more involved than that.— April 4, 2008 3:17 p.m.
Bucks for friends
Sanders the puppet.— April 4, 2008 2:40 p.m.
California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
JF, the city council has no say on union negotiations or pension benefits? Of course attorneys are hired, you wouldnt enter into a multimillion dollar contract negotiation without a lawyer would you? As far as savings "on the backs of city employees" I think there is cushion there— April 4, 2008 2:06 p.m.
California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
Don, what do you think of Marti Emerald?— April 4, 2008 1:45 p.m.
California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
JF, I am aware of all of the developer money going to Gloria, DeMaio and April Bolling, which is very troubling. I havent made up my mind of the Demaio election since his opponent does not impress me at all and has not discussed concrete specific ways to deal with the budget crisis. George George is a retired fire chief endorsed by the firefighters union (of which you are a member I believe?). This leads me to believe he may not be the toughest negotiator with the unions.— April 4, 2008 1:26 p.m.
California Is in Such a Financial Quagmire That There Could Be Municipal Bankruptcies
JF, that study also promotes regressive taxes such as trash (per hoursehold) and electricity usage (per person) which hurt the poor much more than the wealthy. We already have one of the highest gas prices (due to 44 cents/gallon in taxes), highest sewer taxes, 7.75% sales taxes, state income taxes as high as 9%, etc. California is 12th out of 50 states in terms of tax burden per capita income. http://retirementliving.com/RLtaxburdens.html So increasing local taxes would make this even worse. Maybe if the state taxes werent so high people could afford more local taxes but I certainly dont see the state reducing taxes since they are also having a huge budget shortfall. Spending cuts need to be made on the local and state level.— April 4, 2008 1:12 p.m.