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Free Tax Prep for Low to Moderate Income Households
San Diego County is offering free tax preparation for low to moderate income households. Read more about the program at http://www.countynewscenter.com/news/county-offers-free-tax-preparation, and then visit http://www.211sandiego.org/financial_assistance or call 2-1-1 to make an appointment at a location near you.
“CalPERS reduces fees in latest fiscal year, but funded status falls to 73.3%”
“CalPERS reduces fees in latest fiscal year, but funded status falls to 73.3%”
Read the Pensions and Investments article here: http://www.pionline.com/article/20160108/ONLINE/160109888/calpers-reduces-fees-in-latest-fiscal-year-but-funded-status-falls-to-733
Supreme Court Looking at Mandatory Union Fees
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments today on the case of Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. The petitioners are seeking to end the agency fee that non-union members must pay to support collective bargaining activities because they contend it’s unconstitutional to have a mandatory payment for what they claim is political speech. This agency fee is a portion of the regular union dues and is intended to support only collective bargaining, not lobbying or political advocacy. Without this fee, non-union members would gain the benefits of the union’s collective bargaining efforts without any cost. The case has implications for public employees in at least 25 states, including California, where mandatory dues payments are used to underwrite union activity. The court’s decision is expected by June. More information: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/09/us/politics/union-fees-friedrichs-v-california-teachers-association.html?_r=0
El Nino Update and Preparedness
We hope you’re staying safe and dry during all the stormy weather in San Diego. Click here for an Union Tribune update on the El Niño-driven storms . You can also visit Ready San Diego’s website for an adverse weather map and to sign up for San Diego County emergency alerts .
This storm may be winding down, but it’s never too early to prepare for next time. Here’s a helpful preparation checklist: Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for El Niño.
State Labor Board Rules Against San Diego City’s 2012 Pension Reform
In recent news, the State Public Employment Relations Board ordered the city of San Diego to offer retroactive pensions to about 2,000 city employees who were hired after voters approved a 2012 pension reform measure. For more information in this ruling, visit http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/dec/30/perb-ruling-labor-pension-goldsmith-proposition/.