If you have not yet heard of the group PERS Solutions for Public Services, take a look at their website at perssolutions.org.

This diverse group of prominent individuals, including former governor Ted Kulongoski, has done the hard work of crafting sensible solutions to the PERS crisis, solutions that can make a real difference in Oregon’s future.

Their solutions are now being discussed in Salem in a variety of bills.

The group points out that PERS will consume an additional $10 billion from public budgets in the next eight years, further decimating services, including schools. A substantial piece of the $2 billion tax increase for education currently under discussion in Salem would go straight to PERS, not to the classroom.

For the voters to say yes to new taxes, PERS solutions must be part of the package. Anger and frustration about PERS has never been higher, and voters will not hestiate to hold a tax increase hostage to achieve PERS reform.

This group and its bills before the legislature deserve the support of all Oregonians, including public employees. Newspapers around the state have editorialized in favor of this group and its activities. The time is here for meaningful solutions to the PERS crisis.