SF Pension Reform Initiative Still Needs to be Validated
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) With a random check indecisive, San Francisco's Department of Elections is now planning to check the validity of over 77,000 signatures to determine if a major pension reform initiative can qualify for the November ballot.
Last week, San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi submitted his "Smart Reform" charter amendment for the November ballot.
The measure would force city workers to contribute to their pension plans and their dependent's health care.
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A random check of the over 77,000 signatures that were submitted has been completed and Elections Director John Arntz said the minimum threshold has not been reached.
So now, every signature must be verified.
"We're going to have a little over 20 people working on this at least ten hours a day," said Arntz. "We'll work at least one Saturday, a full day, to try to get this done."
Adachi remains confident his pension amendment will qualify.
"For us not to make the ballot, they would have to find over 32,000 signatures invalid," said Adachi. "So I think our chances are looking very good."
Adachi said his initiative would save taxpayers $170 million a year. Labor unions are expected to mount a major campaign against the measure if it qualifies.
