by Ron DeLord | Nov 20, 2016 | Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Unions
The divided court upheld a Maricopa County Superior Court ruling that found a 2011 pension-reform law unconstitutional. A state Supreme Court ruling will require refunds to elected officials and public-safety officers who since 2011 were required to pay more for their...
by Ron DeLord | Apr 10, 2016 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
A non-profit funded by Texas billionaire John Arnold will pour a quarter-million dollars into an independent expenditure committee to support the campaign to help repair Arizona’s financially fragile pension system for public-safety workers, The Arizona...
by rondelord | Aug 12, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Taxpayers should get something in return for their money. Is that so much to ask? When it comes to public-employee union contracts allowing for so-called “release time,” two courts have now ruled there is little to no public benefit provided to taxpayers in exchange...
by rondelord | May 22, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Phoenix leaders voted 6-3 Tuesday to approve a final budget for the next fiscal year, but City Council members were sharply divided over whether the city truly balanced its books. On paper, the spending plan backed by Mayor Greg Stanton and the council’s liberal...
by rondelord | Apr 1, 2015 | Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Valley cities are experiencing sticker shock over a $28.6 million spike in police and fire pension bills for next fiscal year. Seven cities will fork over more money, with Mesa taking the biggest hit, an $8.7 million increase, and Phoenix coming in second, at $6...