Many cities and school districts say retirement benefits are swallowing more of today’s budget. Is this accurate?

I will concede the fact that pension costs are going up and have gone up. But, if you look at total compensation, including pension costs, in most school districts that has gone down.

Doesn’t that mean, in effect, that today’s teachers are being paid less?

The reality is that pension funds are not busting most budgets and employees are going to the bargaining table to help employers ensure pensions are funded and stable and there for them when they retire. And if that means negotiating their salaries down, that’s a choice employees make. I don’t see these employees getting any credit for going to the table and eating those costs.

Do you think cities and states will eventually need to raise taxes to cover rising retirement costs?

No.

Some cities, such as Palo Alto, have talked about opening up their labor negotiations so citizens have a better idea of what kinds of services they are paying for and how the costs break down. Thoughts?