From left to right, former California attorneys general Bill Lockyer and Kamala Harris and current attorney general Xavier Becerra. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press; Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press; Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
From left to right, former California attorneys general Bill Lockyer and Kamala Harris and current attorney general Xavier Becerra. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press; Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press; Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

In summary

More than 20 times in the last 15 years, political leaders looking to control California’s fast-growing public pension costs have tried to put reform initiatives before the voters. None of the proposals has made it onto the ballot.

Judy serves as hub editor of the California Divide project, a five-newsroom collaboration covering economic inequality. Prior to editing, she reported on state finance, workforce and economic issues. Her...