Blue Smoke & Mirrors Department: Is Mayor Sanders Supporting Pension Reform As a Private Citizen or as Mayor?

The battle for Carl DeMaio’s “Comprehensive Pension Reform” initiative is picking up steam. The deadline for signatures to place this measure on the ballot is approaching and organizers with the campaign are pulling out all the stops. Television station KUSI has agree to utilize Soviet era style “news broadcasts” in support of DeMaio’s plan. An air of desperation has descended on the campaign, with street side petition gatherers under constant pressure to produce. And Mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio reports that he’s too busy stumping for his cause to participate in any political debates, even if hundreds of voters (and potential petition signers) might be present.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders has previously declared his support of the plan as a private citizen.  For him to declare his support as Mayor of San Diego would legally require him to meet with (and offer opportunities to) opponents of the plan (mostly unions).  However, a recent letter with his signature sent out to Chamber of Commerce members urging them to mobilize their employees in support of the DeMaio plan certainly makes it appear that he’s not averse to playing the “Mayor Card” on the QT if he thinks he can get away with it.

Here’s a copy of the letter:

From: Vince Mudd [mailto:eventregistration@sdchamber.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 8:54 AM
Subject: Note From Mayor Jerry Sanders

Dear _______,

I want to make sure you saw this message from Mayor Jerry Sanders about the importance of your involvement in the Comprehensive Pension Reform initiative (CPR).  CPR is critical to change the way our city does business and these opportunities do not come along every day.  Please get involved in this initiative and help us get it on the ballot by contacting [REDACTED]

Thank You,

Vincent E. Mudd
Chairman
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

________________________________

Message From Mayor Jerry Sanders:

Dear ________,

Over the past few months, the Comprehensive Pension Reform campaign has been gathering signatures to put the most complete pension reform measure in San Diego history on the June 2012 ballot.  The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce has stepped up by helping to fund our efforts, and now we need individual businesses to put us over the finish line.  Only a few weeks remain and we need your help because this initiative will bring the city’s workforce more in line with the private sector through the following reforms:

1. It will, end pension spiking, by calculating pension on base salary not specialty pay, bonuses or other forms of compensation.
2. It will, eliminate traditional pensions for new employees – excluding police recruits – and replace them with 401(k) style plans.
3. It will, increase transparency and eliminate the up or down vote that city government unions can use to block any action by the City Council to reform pension benefits.

With your company’s financial support and assistance in meeting our signature goals, we can lock in permanent, lasting reforms to the city’s pension system.  I need you to act today.  Please contact the campaign to participate in our Business Outreach Program.  We need you, your friends, and neighbors to:

1. Sign the petition
2. Hold a petition drive at your place of business
3. Volunteer to join us on a signature gathering drive
4. Contribute to the signature gathering effort

You can do all three by visiting [REDACTED]

This is your opportunity to help put San Diego on a sustainable fiscal path for the future.  Please join me and countless others, including your Chamber leaders, as we complete the job of getting this critical ballot measure qualified.

Sincerely,

Mayor Jerry Sanders

__________________________

So which way is it that you support this, Mr. Mayor?