L.A. Now Live: Discuss pension reform efforts after election wins

Times reporter Catherine Saillant will join city editor Shelby Grad to discuss the impact landslide victories on ballot measures to cut pension costs in San Jose and San Diego may have on efforts to reform the state's retirement system.

The chat is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday and questions can be submitted live.

Saillant reported that emboldened reform advocates expect a flurry of copycat initiatives and increased support for Gov. Jerry Brown's long-stalled push to curb the state's obligations to its employees.

In San Jose, nearly 70% of voters on Tuesday approved a plan that gives workers the choice between increasing their pension contribution to 13% of their pay, currently 5% to 11%, or switching to a lower-cost plan with reduced benefits. It also steeply cuts benefits for new hires and tightens rules for disability retirements.

In San Diego, where pension cuts already have been implemented, voters opted to eliminate pensions for new workers. By a 66% to 34% margin, voters on Tuesday endorsed Proposition B, which provides newly hired city employees with a 401(k) program, but preserves traditional pensions for new police officers.