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Defense Of San Jose Pension Reform Grows More Expensive

SAN JOSE (KCBS) – The legal battle over San Jose's landmark pension reform measure continues, nearly a year after voters approved Measure B.

By a vote of 8-to-3 on Tuesday, the San Jose City Council voted to increase the legal budget for defense of Measure B, legislation on pension reform that was overwhelmingly approved last June.

San Jose Pension Reform Battle Grows More Expensive

San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant said it was worth the $2.1 million in attorney's fees.

"We've made a commitment to the voters and the voters have made a commitment to us and we need to see this through," he said.

City employee unions are suing to block implementation of Measure B. City councilmember Ash Kalra, one of the dissenting votes, urged the council to end its legal battle with employees.

"Even if we were to win litigation some year down the line, the damage that's being done to the city is certainly not worth it as opposed to collaboratively working with their employees in order to achieve short-term and long-term savings," Kalra said.

It's estimated that Measure B will save the City of San Jose $20 million this year and $48 million in ongoing savings.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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