Anything is possible in an election year. Both parties agreed that if there are massive layoffs in the public sector, there should be a reasonable way to do it. That means 7,500 employees would have retired. Maybe next year. The Association of California State Supervisors will consider introducing another Golden Handshake bill next year in addition to AB 1470.
Analysts agree that the dynamics of an election year make passage of such a bill possible.
Assemblyman Cannella, age 51, currently represents the 26th Assembly District, which includes all of Merced County, the western portion of Stanislaus County and a small section of San Joaquin County near Tracy. Since assuming office, the Assemblyman has devoted his energies to Central Valley issues such as growth and water management, transportation, air pollution, preservation of agriculture, education and child protection. This year Cannella also carried AB 630, legislation which would have extended the employer health care contribution for employees and retired annuitants having no HMO insurance option. In these tight fiscal times, the money was nowhere to be found, and Cannella said PERS-Care will probably remain the only reasonable choice in the areas without HMOs. Assemblyman Cannella's responsiveness to his constituents is reflected in type of legislation he has carried.