California

Democrats Are Undoing California's Pension Reforms. Why Are Republicans Going Along With It?

Pension changes passed in 2011 have saved California taxpayers from a fiscal crisis, but public sector unions are now pushing to undo them.

Steven Greenhut | 8.28.2026 9:50 AM

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During my adult life, Republicans have made the same pitch: Vote for them to get control of outrageous government spending and restore fiscal discipline. Yet with Republicans in control of both houses of Congress and the presidency, the feds hit a fiscal milestone: $40 trillion in debt. The country is setting new spending records however you cut and slice it.

"Publicly held debt—now approaching World War II levels at about 100% of the country's annual GDP—was just 31.5% of GDP in 2001," The Wall Street Journal reported. Both parties deserve blame, with each one spending wildly on different priorities. I'm picking on Republicans because of their tired rhetoric about reining in spending. Anyone who believes them at this point is gullible.

This column isn't about the federal fiscal disaster, but the one in California. Democrats get the lion's share of brickbats given that they have controlled every state constitutional office and have held supermajorities in the Legislature for years. Four years ago, California enjoyed an astounding $97.5 billion surplus, but now the supposedly "balanced"........

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