News

CA: Forget Prop 32, Costa Mesa’s Measure V is the real union fight

Measure V, placed on the ballot by conservative members of the City Council, would change Costa Mesa from a general law city to a charter city governed by its own constitution.  The switch would free Costa Mesa from state laws that limit its ability to privatize jobs.  Labor unions worry that other cities would follow suit. “One of our biggest concerns is that it would spread to other cities,” said Jennifer Muir, assistant general manager of the Orange County Employees Association. The proposed charter would end a requirement to pay prevailing union wages to city workers and would require voters to approve any increase in pensions.  89.3 KPCC

CA: San Bernardino to look at outsourcing Police Department

The City Council voted Monday to ask the Sheriff’s Department how much it would cost to outsource policing services, a decision opposed by most of the more than 20 residents and officers who spoke.  Redlands Daily Facts

 

GA: Georgia’s Voters Will Decide on Future of Charter Schools

A ballot measure in Georgia asks voters to decide on a statewide commission that could authorize new charter schools. New York Times

FL: State cuts prison health jobs

About 1,900 state workers are getting letters that their jobs soon will end as the state Department of Corrections moves forward with privatization of its health care services. Those current state employees will instead work for a private, for-profit company starting Jan. 1 when the contracts kick in. Ongoing litigation could still block the move.  Tallahassee.com

PR: Privatization of Puerto Rico Airport Spurs Lobbying Effort

With Puerto Rico moving to privatize its largest airport, a Brazilian company that operates restaurants in Latin American airports has enlisted the lobbying help of some of Alston & Bird’s biggest names in Washington.  National Journal