Report Inappropriate Comments

I'm embarrassed for the other city councilors who get lumped in with these stooges. This ordinance is clearly illegal and will wind up costing the city money to defend their losing battle, if it ever actually gets passed. I have my doubts it ever sees the light of day.

You can't legislate minimum amounts for benefits which are to be negotiated for. That is tying the hands of the union and is not a free and fair negotiation.

And it is established case law that retirees have a property right to the contracts they retired under. You cannot legislate changes to it.

Next contract time negotiate with the unions and come up with a deal if you want to make healthcare changes to active employees. Stipulate what happens to people who retire after the expiration of that agreement regarding co-pays or requirements to obtain healthcare. You cannot touch those who have already retired, you can only negotiate with the current employees.

Merolla and Ladoucer are just grandstanding. Their grasp of legal processes is limited...but doesn't the council have a actual attorney to provide opinions on proposed legislation? Or are we paying for another incompetent attorney? They just want to be able to say they tried to do something (Not withstanding that it is blatantly illegal).

You can't legislate what need to be negotiated. It's a pretty basic legal concept.