California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed bipartisan legislation Sept. 20 to lower the retirement age for law enforcement and firefighters and increase benefits, saying changes in the bill would be too costly for state and local governments.
The governor said the measure would reverse reforms made in the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013 and “significantly increase state and local government costs.”
Newsom also said the changes would widen a retirement benefit gap between public safety members and non-safety members, inviting future changes that would expose the retirement system to more risk.
State lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 1383 on Aug. 30 in nearly unanimous votes, with only two Assembly members opposing the measure….