I have a proposal that will affect the budget immediately and bring in new revenue. Institute a 95% tax on public sector compensation, including pensions, above the median income in Menlo Park.

J Davis proposes a 95% tax.

Odd that someone who has railed against taxes would propose such. Imagine a proposalm that we add an additional 2% tax on Mr Davis' pension, retirement and/or social security at the same time his 95% tax was discussed - yes, imagine the howls of protest from Mr Davis.

The level of vitriol and hypocrisy from the fringe right is at an all time high.

Good luck to Mr Bragg. Be interesting to hear a new voice, albeit with all the usual suspets attempting to drown him out on these boards.

I'm not really from Emerald Hills; just visiting and find it interesting to note that J Davis was first in the pond, from afar.

I don't think it is odd at all. I regard the obscene level of compensation of many public sector workers as the result of political corruption and self-dealing at the expense of the common citizen.

Such monies are ill-gotten gains, and the recipients should be ashamed. Sadly, they manifestly are not.

There ya go, boys and girls -- public safety workers and teachers are just spoiled overpaid leeches, relying on "corruption" for their "ill-gotten gains".

Who knew?

Thanks Joe, for clarifying.

With all due respect to Mr. Bragg. Measure L ONLY limits future pensioners because LEGALLY that's ALL we can do. If he is volunteering his brethren at the Menlo Park Fire Protection District to take IMMEDIATE cuts in their pension (to save the money now as he has suggested), I'll pass that along to the Board there for IMMEDIATE action. Thanks Dave for letting us know, we'll credit you with the idea and the MONUMENTAL savings. Are you promising the Uion won't sue?

In the meantime, we at Citizens for Fair and Responsible Pension Reform (Measure L) feel strongly that ANY reductions in Pension Cost for Menlo Park are GOOD, and that over the long term we will benefit from Measure L's passage.

BTW, where was Mr. Bragg during the Measure L battle? Never showed up at ANY Council Meetings to voice his opinion.....hmmm.

Roy Thiele-Sardiña
Co-Chairman of Citizens for Fair and Responsible Pension Reform (Measure L)

'all you could do'.
Roy - why did you not include public safety employees in Neasure L?
There is no law against that.

Mr. Bragg was one of the named co-plaintiffs suing the MP Fire Protection District to increase salaries.

Not being a resident of MP I can't vote , but it would seem to me that Mr. Bragg has enough on his plate and where will he find the time to attend meetings. I wonder if he has to recuse himself on pension votes since he is covered by the fireman's pension plan.

Too busy and too union?

To Mr. Davis:

City of Menlo Park workers provide high level and valuable services that make Menlo Park an amazing city to live in. They should be paid a wage that allows them to live in and enjoy the community.

City of Menlo Park workers are an exceptionally well compensated bunch already. Has anyone else noticed that those jobs are never advertised? Shouldn't current residents be encouraged to apply?

What sort of wage enables people to "enjoy the community?" Based on my observations, I'd guess about $300k. That's a pretty dumb way to determine salary scales. How about letting the market decide, which is what the private sector does? I'd guess there is a lot of demand for those jobs, or would be, if regular citizens knew how to apply for them.

To Fred: your comment may be well and good, but please balance that with financial responsibility. What is the breaking point of providing the amount of city services versus paying the wage level (and benefits) you suggest? If, for example, the city's budget is 80% personnel costs, that only leaves 20% to spend on everything else.

Some local government employee salaries and the benefit packages exceed the limits -- a local school superintendent who oversees 4 schools and make over $200K plus benefits; a local fire chief who oversees 3 stations the same; a local police commander whose salary is $190K+ plus benefits; and the list goes on.