MORE

In the News

California town looks to lay off nearly half its employees

In all, more than 210 of Costa Mesa’s 472 employees received notices that they might get pink slips. City leaders say the cuts are necessary because of escalating pension costs.

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Republican efforts to roll back public employee benefits and bargaining rights have triggered mass protests in places such as Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio. But here in Costa Mesa, Calif., the offensive against these workers’ compensation has gone further.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Jim Righeimer, right, mayor pro tem of Costa Mesa, and Mayor Gary Monahan at a recent City Council meeting. “Just do the math — this is unsustainable,” said the recently elected Righeimer, who campaigned on the pension issue. “Under these kinds of burdens, we can’t do everything the city needs to do.”

Jim Righeimer, right, mayor pro tem of Costa Mesa, and Mayor Gary Monahan at a recent City Council meeting. “Just do the math — this is unsustainable,” said the recently elected Righeimer, who campaigned on the pension issue. “Under these kinds of burdens, we can’t do everything the city needs to do.”

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Righeimer, 52, an Orange County developer, has long fought unions. When he declared his intention to run for City Council, he blamed the city’s budget shortfalls on the union-negotiated compensation for police, firefighters and other city employees.

Righeimer, 52, an Orange County developer, has long fought unions. When he declared his intention to run for City Council, he blamed the city’s budget shortfalls on the union-negotiated compensation for police, firefighters and other city employees.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Costa Mesa police officer Jeff Horn walks to his patrol car after checking on the progress of his motorcycle, in the city garage for repairs. City leaders say pensions for police, firefighters and other unionized employees are draining the city’s revenue, making the layoffs necessary.

Costa Mesa police officer Jeff Horn walks to his patrol car after checking on the progress of his motorcycle, in the city garage for repairs. City leaders say pensions for police, firefighters and other unionized employees are draining the city’s revenue, making the layoffs necessary.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Gant Corum, a municipal mechanic in Orange County, is facing the loss of his job. He has just arrived home from work and is taking the family dogs out for a walk with his wife, China, and their 3-week old daughter, Caroline.

Gant Corum, a municipal mechanic in Orange County, is facing the loss of his job. He has just arrived home from work and is taking the family dogs out for a walk with his wife, China, and their 3-week old daughter, Caroline.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Corum, with wife China and new daughter Caroline after returning home from work. Costa Mesa plans to outsource many of the functions of city government jobs to private firms or other governments.

Corum, with wife China and new daughter Caroline after returning home from work. Costa Mesa plans to outsource many of the functions of city government jobs to private firms or other governments.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Corum kisses his wife. Another municipal mechanic, Billy Folsom, said: “It’s like they decided to blow up the city. It’s devastating.” Folsom was one of the employees facing layoffs.

Corum kisses his wife. Another municipal mechanic, Billy Folsom, said: “It’s like they decided to blow up the city. It’s devastating.” Folsom was one of the employees facing layoffs.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Nearly half the city workers in Costa Mesa received notices that they might be laid off last week. Street sweepers. Firemen. Mechanics such as Corum, shown here. Payroll clerks. Animal control workers. In all, more than 210 of the city’s 472 employees, many of whom have worked there for decades.

Nearly half the city workers in Costa Mesa received notices that they might be laid off last week. Street sweepers. Firemen. Mechanics such as Corum, shown here. Payroll clerks. Animal control workers. In all, more than 210 of the city’s 472 employees, many of whom have worked there for decades.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Apartments and retail establishments near downtown Costa Mesa.

Apartments and retail establishments near downtown Costa Mesa.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Costa Mesa police officer Jeff Horn waits for mechanic Billy Folsom to finish repairs on his motorcycle.

Costa Mesa police officer Jeff Horn waits for mechanic Billy Folsom to finish repairs on his motorcycle.

Bill O'Leary / WASHINGTON POST

City mechanics are among those facing layoffs.

City mechanics are among those facing layoffs.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

“For three years we’ve given them every concession they’ve needed,” said Folsom, who made $68,000 last year, according to city records. “We worked it out. This time, they’re just giving us the pink slips.”

“For three years we’ve given them every concession they’ve needed,” said Folsom, who made $68,000 last year, according to city records. “We worked it out. This time, they’re just giving us the pink slips.”

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

Chip Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti of Scotland (L) celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of teammate Scott Dixon of New Zealand and KV Racing Technology driver Tony Kanaan of Brazil during the Indianapolis 500 autorace at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 27, 2012. REUTERS/John Sommers II(UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT MOTORSPORT)

Dario Franchitti wins the Indianapolis 500

Dario Franchitti wins his third Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 27: Christian Slayton, 12 prays to a fallen soldiers memorial as motorcycles from the Rolling Thunder event pass by in Washington, DC on May 27, 2012. Slayton, who is from Raleigh, NC ran out to the makeshift memorial to say a prayer of thanks for all the veterans living and fallen. He said he wanted to thank them for letting us be free and able to have the rights that some countries never had. Riders from across the nation come together every year to ride from the Pentagon over to the National Mall as a rememberance those POW and MIAs in the Vietnam War. (Photo by Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

Rolling Thunder descends on Washington

Motorcyclists take part in the annual parade ahead of Memorial Day.

Visitors stop to read the names on the Vietnam Memorial at sunrise on the fist day of the Memorial Day weekend in Washington Saturday, May 24, 2008. (AP Photo/J. David Ake)

Honoring the Vietnam War’s fallen

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 24: Aaron Rubinstein, center, with fellow students, lights candles before the annual Mass for family members of the cadavers used in anatomy studies on May, 24, 2012 in Washington, DC. At right are Steven Kazuska and Meghan Kuska. (Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

Students express gratitude for cadavers

Georgetown University students thank the families who allowed the use of cadavers for study.

Cambodian Grilled Corn is basted with a mix of coconut milk and sugar, then grilled until caramelized. Recipe by grilling expert Steven Raichlen, for a Chef on Call lesson. (Michael Temchine for The Washington Post) Freelance Photo imported to Merlin on Fri May 16 15:10:05 2008

Memorial Day recipes

Here are some favorite burgers, entrees and desserts from our Recipe Finder database.

FAIRFAX, VA - MAY 23: US Army Veteran Sandra Strickland embraces her daughter, Heaven, 8, after dinner Wednesday May 23, 2012 in Fairfax, VA. After losing her job, custody of her children and being evicted from her apartment, Strickland moved into a home for homeless female veterans provided by Final Salute, Inc. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Fairfax shelter becomes a lifeline for homeless female veterans

A former Army captain opened the shelter with last fall.

Speaker of the Ukrainian parliament Volodymyr Litvin (Bottom) looks on as deputies of the Ukrainian opposition fight with deputies of the pro-presidential majority during a session of parliament in Kiev, as opposition parties protest a bill proposed by the ruling party which would make Russian an official state language along with Ukrainian. AFP PHOTO/STRINGERSTR/AFP/GettyImages

Ukrainian parliament fight, SpaceX cargo craft, Mars rover Opportunity and more in the day in photos

Ukrainian parliament fight, SpaceX cargo craft, Mars rover Opportunity and more.

Red Panda Bears sleep in the Panda Bear enclosure at the Beijing Zoo on May 22, 2012. The zoo grounds were originally a Ming Dynasty imperial palace and finally opened to the public in 1908. The zoo's history states that during the WWII, most of the zoo's animals died of starvation with only 13 monkeys and one old emu surviving the war. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTONMARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages

Barn owls, pit bulls, red pandas, cheetah cubs and more in animal views

Barn owls, pit bulls, red pandas, cheetah cubs and more.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.