California Statewide Law Enforcement Ass'n v. Department of Personnel Administration

*4Opinion

SCOTLAND, J.*

Many millions of dollars are at stake in this case. At issue is the process by which a public employee labor union and the Governor negotiate benefits for state employees and then present their collective bargaining agreement to the Legislature for approval and funding. Such agreements, which have been under the public’s radar in the past, are now coming to light due to the massive budget deficit the state is facing.

California’s collective bargaining system for state employees provides an enhanced pension benefit for what are known as “safety members.” The “common thread”…