Mini Live Blog: Pension Deal for Jax Up or Down Vote tonight

[Cheshire Cat]

Guiliford.  I have been chastised tonight.  I feel that we are missing the unfunded liability.  1.7 billion dollars.  Now talking about Detroit.  If we used their approach we could have savings....Don't use it on lollypop things.  I gotta tell you there is no savings in mayors deal. He will vote "No".

[Cheshire Cat]

If what I am sharing makes no sense that is because this council meeting makes no sense.  Seriously, no snark intended.

[Cheshire Cat]

Clark calls the question.  Mayors pension deal "FAILS" 11 votes against, 7 votes for.

[JayBird]

Wow. Just. Wow.

[Cheshire Cat]

Wow. Just. Wow.

I have watched many a council meeting over the years and the one last night rates right up there with the all time worst boondoggles I have seen.  All of this after one member of council earlier predicated his own statements on the budget by saying "we are all competent on this council".  Perhaps that is part of the problem.  Too many on council "think" they are up to the task.  We have a council president who pushes for a vote on perhaps one of the most important issues currently facing our city, pension reform.  He asks for that vote to come before the issue has been vetted and put through committee discussions.  Then the entire council votes to force themselves to make the vote last evening only to realize they had messed up and were not in a position to undo their own darn vote.  It was farcical.  Crash and burn legislation as opposed to thoughtful investigation and research on both the pension deal and potential tax increase.  Also note that the mayor sidestepped the raise taxes issue by forcing the hand of the council and they pushed for a potential raise in taxes on property.  This is why Brown's office is claiming no big deal on the pension loss.  They got the tax raise they wanted without taking the heat for it.  Politics at it's worst folks.

[Cheshire Cat]

How is Gulliford's relationship with Mayor Brown?

I ask because I'm curious as to why he would even release the bill from committee. Was it to try and rush it through or just the opposite to ensure it was shot down due to lack of time to examine it?

Guilliford did not want the Mayor's pension deal and I believe wanted it shut down at the get go.  There was some discussion that making the decision then would help them to know what to do with a property tax increase.

Glad to have shared a mini blog last night.  I am afraid mine is not as entertaining and clever as others, especially Stephens, but when I saw the mess I saw last night with such an important issue to be dealt with, I really felt the citizens needed a peek at what was going on.  It was a shambles. 

[Cheshire Cat]

Thank you for the kindness Stephen and thank the board as well.