Category: unfunded pensions

When Addressing City Finances, Don’t Play the Blame Game

Commentary After reviewing my ranking of Orange County cities based on their per capita unrestricted net positions, a resident approached his city council for an explanation. He was informed, in writing, that it is just “a single indicator of the financial health of a city.”  This is true. It is a temperature gauge. And since…


Unfunded Pension Liabilities ‘Crowding Out’ City Budgets in Orange County

The significant burden of unfunded pension liabilities is severely affecting municipal budgets throughout Orange County, California, officials say, with some cities faring better than others. When cities are forced to spend more to cover pension costs, something else has to be cut from local budgets, according to former state Sen. John Moorlach. “It has impacted…


Orange County Board Candidates Weigh In on Unfunded Pensions

Several candidates running in the upcoming March 9 special election for a seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors say that reducing unfunded public employee pension liabilities should be a top priority for cities throughout the county. John Moorlach, Kevin Muldoon, and Janet Rappaport all agree that unfunded public pensions in the county, where…