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

[Cheshire Cat]

Try and wrap your heads around this people.   The City Council took a vote earlier that put them in the position of voting up or down on the Mayor's pension deal "BEFORE" they have vetted it.  That's right before.  Now Councilman Warren Jones is saying but, but, but we aren't ready to vote up or down, along with Holt and others. SMH!  So where we are at this moment is a vote coming down on one of the most important financial issues facing this city in chambers, before it has been fully discussed in committee.   Wheeeeee.  Ain't we got fun. 

[Cheshire Cat]

Now they are trying to override their previous decision to vote tonight.  They are also arguing amongst themselves can they postpone or not? Keep in mind they have not addressed pages of concerns offered by the city auditor. Three times so far on the same argument with Council President pulling rank.  Lordy, lordy  This could not possibly be handled worse than it is tonight.

[Cheshire Cat]

The short fix is a millage rate which they pushed earlier.  The rate increase however will not improve services or anything else, just keep us at that status quo and out of a hole if the council votes down the pension deal tonight that they have not "vetted".

[Cheshire Cat]

Now Lori Boyer is saying she will not support this reformed proposal.  Nor will Bishop support it.  Deal is not sustainable in their view.  We cannot afford the yearly payments.

[Cheshire Cat]

If this is voted through we are stuck with if for 17 years.  Boyer says vote "NO".

[Cheshire Cat]

We have 1.7 Billion commitment to retired employees.  Love asked what happens to the Federal Law suit if they pass the pension?  Laquidara says the lawsuit goes away but not the debt. 

[Cheshire Cat]

Now Love wants Laquidara to say if it is better to owe money now or later?  She say's answering that is up to the council.

[Cheshire Cat]

Redman.   Now asks for a re-vote on the appeal vote.  Says he made a mistake and want's a do over.

[Cheshire Cat]

Now everyone is confused.  Have attorneys checking on question.  Sidman says can they reconsider she says yes.  Redman motions to vote again, want's a second (jibber, jibber among council).  Now they want to know if the Council President can deny the motion.

[Bridges]

Now Lori Boyer is saying she will not support this reformed proposal.  Nor will Bishop support it.  Deal is not sustainable in their view.  We cannot afford the yearly payments.

I don't understand.  We can't afford the newly negotiated payments in the Mayor's plan?  Or the ones now?

Is the main complaint that everyone wants more from current employees?

[Cheshire Cat]

Sidman, this is a motion to reconsider and that it is open to debate.  Question called.  Lumb starts yelling at Chair.  Now they don't know what the hell they are voting for.  Keep in mind this is the biggest deal impacting our city for decades.

The motions for do over fails......

[Cheshire Cat]

Bridges, they don't understand what they are talking about.  According to Boyer we "cannot" afford the payments in the mayors deal.

[Cheshire Cat]

Joost just tells the entire council he is tired of this.  Vote it up or down.  Lumb, talking about "big boy" pant's referencing a statement by Bishop.  Lumb basically tells the Council President off and is really very angry right now.

[Cheshire Cat]

Lumb , We took an oath to uphold the law, want's clarification of whether or not collective bargaining was violated.  Well.....Laquidara is saying that if they vote on this legislation there is no clear case law if they would violate the law or not by a vote.....Okay.   She says her opinion is just that an opinion.  Lumb says he will vote 'NO".  Really angry about being forced to vote tonight.

[Cheshire Cat]

Bishop if you vote for you are approving a 17 year deal.  This is a political two year solution to a problem leaving 15 years unanswered.  Bishop says "No"!