California GOP’s “No” Buttons Fail as Republicans Back Expansive Pension Bills
Republican senators in California staged a “no” button photo-op but most voted for or abstained on two pension-expansion bills, while a few even co-authored them.
Near the end of the session, California’s Republican Senate leader distributed novelty “no” buttons to suggest a unified stand against Democratic tax-and-spend initiatives. However, the vote record shows that only two GOP senators voted “no” on each of Assembly Bill 1383 and Assembly Bill 1054, with many either supporting the measures or abstaining. Both bills aim to boost public-employee pensions, effectively undoing parts of the 2012 Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act pushed by former Governor Jerry Brown.
Critics note that the legislation would lower retirement ages and raise benefit percentages, benefitting safety-union members and prompting concerns about fiscal sustainability. While no Democrat opposed the bills, they also did not join the button-bearing protest. The analysis highlights the role of unions in shaping the legislation and questions whether Governor Gavin Newsom will sign the measures despite their cost implications.
Why it matters
The vote shows GOP leaders backing costly pension expansions, challenging claims of fiscal conservatism and affecting California's budget.
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