Residents of Hollywood Florida have had enough of exorbitant police, fire and city workers. In a referendum pitting a 23% tax increase against public union benefits, voters made the smart choice.



The turnout was small, but that should have favored the unions because every one of them probably voted to keep the gravy train and screw everyone else.



Please consider the Miami Herald article, Hollywood voters: Cut the pensions



With a low voter turnout — about 13 percent of the city’s 84,521 registered voters — residents cast ballots to strip police, firefighters and the city’s general employees of their current pension plans, allowing the city to save $8.5 million.



Facing a $38 million deficit and unable to come to an agreement with the city’s unions, Hollywood leaders took the risky move of putting the issue to a public referendum. Last year, the city said it had to put $36.6 million into the underfunded pension program.



Several cities throughout South Florida are also struggling with sharply increased pension costs, and have been eyeing the Hollywood case to see how it turned out.



“It could be a harbinger,’’ said Stephen Cypen, an attorney who represents more than a dozen South Florida municipal pension funds, including Hollywood’s.



Referendums carry a special significance because voters are getting the chance to weigh in, he said, adding that Tuesday’s “yes’’ vote could have implications for other cities.



Coral Gables, Miami, Pembroke Pines and Miami Beach have also been struggling with rising pension costs.



But not all cities need to hold a referendum; in Hollywood’s case, the city charter requires a citywide vote when the unions and city officials can not come to an agreement.



Union leaders said Tuesday night they will challenge the election in court.



“They went about this wrong way,” said Firefighter Union President Dan Martinez. “They completely superseded our right to collectively bargain.”

Inherent Wrongs

It is tantamount to slavery (Please see Paul Krugman, Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, others, Ignore Extortion, Bribery, Coercion, and Slavery; No One Should Own You!)

No one speaks up for the taxpayer



The changes mean fire, police and general employees will have to work longer in order to retire, will receive a smaller percentage of their salary as pension and will no longer be able to include vacation and cost of living increases into the formula.



For firefighter Bill Huddleston, who has been with the Hollywood fire department for 22 years, the yes vote is “devastating.” Huddleston, 46, began working at age 24 and has been on the force for 22 years. He would be eligible to retire in a few months.



“This city will be changed forever,” Huddleston said.

Change for the Better

Taxpayers Still Stiffed

If voters had struck down the pension changes, the city was preparing to lay off 75 employees and consider raising the tax rate by 23 percent. Instead, the city will likely stick with an 11 percent tax increase.

Cause for Celebration

“It’s not a victory and not a cause for a celebration,” said Mayor Peter Bober. “It’s properly viewed as taking an important step toward changing the way we do business in Hollywood.”