Pension Cuts Cost Democrat Union Support in Rhode Island

[Omaha Steve]

X post in Labor

http://online.wsj.com/articles/pension-cuts-cost-democrat-gina-raimondo-union-support-in-rhode-island-governors-race-1414542043

Cuts for State Employees in 2011 at Issue in Governor’s Race; Issue Resonates in Other Contests



By KRIS MAHER and SCOTT CALVERT Oct. 28, 2014 8:20 p.m. ET

Anger over pension cuts for state employees is driving many union voters in Rhode Island to cross party lines and back a Republican for governor, one of several midterm races roiled by battles over public pensions.

Democrat Gina Raimondo, Rhode Island’s treasurer, spearheaded legislation in 2011 to rein in public-employee pension obligations. Rancor over the move was still strong among union voters in a poll earlier this month, in which they favored Republican candidate Allan Fung over Ms. Raimondo, 42% to 30%; among all those surveyed she led by six points. A poll out Tuesday by Brown University found the race essentially tied.

Many see the contest as a test of the political consequences of tackling pension plans that are pressuring state budgets. “If she wins, I think that may embolden other Democrats around the country to take on pension reform,” said Darrell West, vice president of governance studies at the Brookings Institution.

Pensions are galvanizing votes elsewhere. In San Jose, Calif., a requirement that public employees contribute more toward their retirement benefits, among other changes, has split two Democrats vying to become the city’s next mayor.

FULL story at link.

[Wellstone ruled]

1. This is just the tip of the Iceberg

that non progressive Politicians are going to run into. Most of the Governmental agenthat beat up their employees benefits programs were screwed over by independent consultants who had other agendas. Mostly the likes of the Goldman-Sachs and JP Morgans and their jacked up bonds that blow up. Example would be the so called Mortgage Back pieces of crap.