2017 Pension Information Released By Transparent California
As the largest city in L.A. County under the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), Long Beach tops the list of county cities with the most retirees earning an annual pension of $100,000 or more, according to TransparentCalifornia.com. The city has 390 individuals receiving a six-figure pension as of 2017, with five individuals above $200,000. However, Long Beach also has the smallest percentage of retirees in the “$100K Pension Club,” at 21%. By comparison, Redondo Beach has 97 in the “club,” but that represents 44% of city retirees receiving a pension. The average pension in L.A. County through CalPERS is $80,175. For 2017, Long Beach had 5,012 former city employees receiving a pension, with the average at $76,804.58.
Cycling Teams From Around The World Coming To Long Beach
The top men’s cycling teams from around the world are converging on Long Beach next month as the city hosts the first leg of the 13th Annual Amgen Tour of California. Race organizers announced today that teams include Tour de France veterans, Olympic medalists and world champions. Seventeen men’s teams have been confirmed, with the following countries represented: Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, United Arab Emirates and the USA. The race, owned and presented by AEG, begins May 13 and covers 645 miles of roadways, highways and coastlines during seven stages from Long Beach to Sacramento.
U.S. Goods And Services Deficit Increased Nearly $1 Billion In February
The United States Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit increased $900 million in February to $57.6 billion. Exports were $204.4 billion in February, while imports were $262 billion. February import and export numbers were $3.5 billion and $4.4 billion more than in January, respectively. The goods and services deficit has increased 22.7% year-to-date from the same period last year.
Paint Manufacturers Accused Of Using Scare Tactics Against Homeowners
The California Association of Realtors (CAR) announced today that paint manufacturers that lost a recent court case and subsequent appeal are using scare tactics against homeowners to convince them that they are criminally liable if their homes contain lead-based paint. According to a CAR press release, in the case of People vs. ConAgra, the court found paint companies, not the homeowners, “created a public nuisance by promoting lead-based paint for interior residential use.” The ruling requires the paint companies to pay the unspecified cost of abating lead-based paint in hundreds of thousands of homes in 10 California counties and cities.
New L.A. Harbor Commissioner Appointed As President Steps Down
The Port of Los Angeles announced today that Vilma Martinez is stepping down as president of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission tomorrow (April 6). Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has appointed Jaime L. Lee, who has served as board president and commissioner on the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System Board of Administration for the past four years, to replace her on the board. Martinez has served on the commission since 2013. During that time, she oversaw consecutive years of record cargo growth and the development of the 2017 Clean Air Action Plan update.