1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I respectfully urge you to oppose legislation that weakens the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), Governor Jerry Brown’s landmark effort to improve the long-term sustainability of California’s public retirement systems. PEPRA was enacted to address rising pension liabilities and better protect taxpayers from escalating long-term obligations. Reversing these reforms risks shifting greater financial burdens onto future Californians while reducing the state’s flexibility to fund priorities such as education, public safety, infrastructure, and wildfire resilience. I am also concerned that proposals expanding pension benefits may reflect the disproportionate influence of organized public-sector interests over fiscal policy rather than the broader public interest. Research from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, CalPERS, Stanford, Hoover Institution, Brookings, and other respected organizations consistently emphasizes that pension promises create long-term obligations that must be responsibly funded. Decisions made today will affect taxpayers and state budgets for decades. California already has among the highest taxes in the unions and has been experiencing an exodus of population and capital. Please preserve PEPRA’s core fiscal safeguards, reject legislation that unnecessarily expands unfunded liabilities, and prioritize responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. California’s long-term economic competitiveness depends on maintaining sustainable public finances that encourage investment, job creation, and affordability rather than increasing future tax pressures. Thank you for your consideration!