BILL NUMBER:  AB 1987
  VETOED	DATE: 09/30/2010




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To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1987 without my signature.

The practice of pension-spiking is a serious one that deserves
significant attention by the Legislature in curbing the unacceptable
manner in which individual workers are able to artificially boost
their retirement payouts.  There are numerous examples of public
employees taking home larger pension checks in retirement than what
they earned in base salary when they were actually working.

California does need a consistent standard that is transparent,
understandable, and implementable throughout the state.  While this
bill purports to address this issue by segregating out some of the
factors that have allowed pension spiking, in some instances it still
allows local pension boards to determine what is ultimately counted
in an employee's pension calculation.  This does not provide a
consistent treatment of all employees.  The taxpayers of California
deserve better.  I am still hopeful that the Legislature can send me
acceptable pension reform legislation.

For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger