Wednesday, September 14, 2011 7:52 PM

Cause for Celebration: Hollywood Florida Residents Vote to Cut Pensions of Police, Firefighters, and City Employees

Residents of Hollywood Florida have had enough of exorbitant police, fire and city workers. In a referendum pitting a 23% tax increase against public union benefits, voters made the smart choice.

The turnout was small, but that should have favored the unions because every one of them probably voted to keep the gravy train and screw everyone else.

Please consider the Miami Herald article, Hollywood voters: Cut the pensions http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/13/2 ... z1XwU2pfvO

With a low voter turnout — about 13 percent of the city’s 84,521 registered voters — residents cast ballots to strip police, firefighters and the city’s general employees of their current pension plans, allowing the city to save $8.5 million.

Facing a $38 million deficit and unable to come to an agreement with the city’s unions, Hollywood leaders took the risky move of putting the issue to a public referendum. Last year, the city said it had to put $36.6 million into the underfunded pension program.

Several cities throughout South Florida are also struggling with sharply increased pension costs, and have been eyeing the Hollywood case to see how it turned out.

“It could be a harbinger,’’ said Stephen Cypen, an attorney who represents more than a dozen South Florida municipal pension funds, including Hollywood’s.

Referendums carry a special significance because voters are getting the chance to weigh in, he said, adding that Tuesday’s “yes’’ vote could have implications for other cities.

Coral Gables, Miami, Pembroke Pines and Miami Beach have also been struggling with rising pension costs.

But not all cities need to hold a referendum; in Hollywood’s case, the city charter requires a citywide vote when the unions and city officials can not come to an agreement.

Union leaders said Tuesday night they will challenge the election in court.

“They went about this wrong way,â€