David Brauer stated in an issues post: "Peter's platform is more police and fire and permanent NRP funding. It's MUCH more exciting than R.T.'s * but the problem for this voter is that I still can't figure out how he can pay for it. All I've heard is a reliance on a one-time, $25 million pension plan that is dead, dead, dead at the legislature * and besides, as Mark Snyder astutely noted, the concept only pushes out the pension debt, where it gets bigger, rather than paying it off."
As the House author of the police pension legislation and much other pension legislation there is much to criticize in the city's handling of (and actions that caused) the various pension problems and admittedly the city council deserves as much criticism as the mayor. But the mayor is responsible for taking a strong position in opposition. First of all the issue is not dead, dead, dead as the author proclaims. Just look at the House language to SF 427 to see its reincarnation. The law would have been worth $24-40 million net present value on the life of the fund. By waiting a year the 2006 reduction in city pension costs will be about $15 million (loss of about 6 million). We do believe there is a negotiated agreement and a version of the bill we could have passed last year will now be passed. Perhaps the city convention shed some light on the issue. My major concern is to lessen the city's need to bond for pension payments. (Non tax exempt bonds that will put a greater debt on the city in the future then the extended date for full funding of the fund). If we pass the pending pension legislation, this need may even disappear. Phyllis Kahn State Rep 59B REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
