Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) Founding Partner Art Hartinger and Renne Public Policy Group (RPPG) Director, Government Affairs Dane Hutchings presented at theLeague of California Cities San Diego County Division meeting on Monday, August 12.
Their presentation, “Why Cities are on the Front Lines of the Pension Crisis,” provided key insights on CalPERS, political realities, upcoming challenges and legislative trends, as well as practical actions that cities can implement today.
Mr. Hartinger and Mr. Hutchings advised cities to take steps to stabilize their budgets by considering best practices such as identifying new sources of revenue, reducing active employee benefits and reviewing services and staffing models.
After reviewing a brief history of common law employee versus independent contractor decisions, Mr. Hartinger and Mr. Hutchings closed the session with a series of tips to avoid contract workers falling under “Common Law Employment” status, including securing signed acknowledgment of third-party/independent contractor relationship, establishing unique titles and special skills that lie outside the core work and mission of the agency, requiring the contractor to indemnify the agency for an adverse determination and considering an advance opinion from CalPERS.
View the presentation here: League of California Cities Presentation (PDF).
RPLG practices throughout California, advising and advocating for public agencies, nonprofit entities, individuals and private entities in need of effective, responsive and creative legal solutions.
RPPG is a full-service lobbying and consulting firm that provides support to public agencies and companies that align with the interest of public agencies. With the utilization of strategic advisors, RPPG combines decades of experience with the best legal, operational and political talent in the business to provide full wraparound services for clients.