Watch CBS News

Republicans Now Backing Gov. Brown's Pension Plan

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - In a move that blurs the line between right and left, Republicans are tag-teaming with an unlikely ally.

"We are pleased and proud to join with him," Republican legislator Connie Conway said about supporting Gov. Jerry Brown's pension reform plan. "We believe it's a good starting place. We think the time was yesterday we should've gotten into this to get this done."

You don't often hear Republicans use words like that about the Democratic governor.

The newly Republican-adopted, governor-authored plan would increase state workers' retirement age, force more contributions to their pensions and limit benefits for new hires.

"Well, it's clear republicans are bankrupt of ideas of their own so they now have to use the governor's," Democratic political analyst Steve Maviglio said. "And they're doing more twists than a ballerina. They were against it, now they're for it."

But Republican analyst Aaron McLear said his party is acting wisely in compromising on the reform package.

"I think this is a smart move for the Republicans," he said. "They're never going to get everything they want on every issue."

It's true Republicans first said the reform didn't go far enough, but now they may be forcing Brown to woo the legislators on his side of the aisle.

"And he believes himself to be a man of the people, so we'll see if he's a man of the Democrat people," Conway said.

Republicans are now forcing a political play — either Democrats start battling with their own governor or push forward with reform.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.