Press Release Author = Friends of McRitchie for CalPERS
Industry = Government
Press Release Summary = McRitchie challenges illegally adopted CalPERS rules. The Office of Administrative Law agrees to make a determination.
Press Release Body = CalPERS members who sign nomination petitions for Board candidates must disclose their Social Security Number, which then circulates to other members exposing themselves to identity theft. Additionally, the Board insists they can change CalPERS election rules at will, without disclosing legally required authority, providing public notice, or responding to comments.
James McRitchie, a candidate for the state member seat in the current election, petitioned CalPERS to stop these practices. The Board, including incumbent George Diehr, rejected that petition. Now, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has agreed to make a determination. (see http://www.oal.ca.gov/notice/35z-2006.pdf, page 1281)
For years the CalPERS Board argued their rulemaking was exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). In 1999 McRitchie obtained a decision that CalPERS is not exempt from the law and that actions taken by the Board to bypass the APA were illegal "underground regulations" (1999 OAL Determination No. 18, http://perswatch.net/iss/OALDetermination.pdf ). Unfortunately, the Board continues utilizing "underground regulations."
In 2003 CalPERS placed an ad in the Wall Street Journal, which contained the following: "When boards control their own membership, directors can be unaccountable and inattentive - opening the door to abusive executive compensation, fraud and other misconduct. . .Investors deserve a true voice in director elections." McRitchie believes the same admonition applies to CalPERS itself. CalPERS members should have a true voice in shaping the regulations that govern how CalPERS Board members are elected.
State members of CalPERS have a clear choice in the current election. They can vote for the incumbent and invite further attacks on CalPERS because of continued practices of questionable legality, or they can vote for James McRitchie for the highest ethical standards, lower healthcare costs, a healthcare trust fund, and a sound investment strategy. For more information, go on the Internet to PERSWatch.net. Vote James G. McRitchie so that I can represent you full-time in Sacramento on the CalPERS Board. Questions? Call 916-869-2402. Loose your ballot? Call 916-795-3952 for a replacement.
Web Site = http://www.perswatch.net
Contact Details = 9295 Yorkship Ct. Elk Grove, CA 95758
2022
