Teachers' pensions

The debate over the costs of public pensions will hit center stage in the Capitol this year, and the fundamental issue is Calstrs' rates -- and solvency.

From Calpensions' Ed Mendel: "A new state budget Gov. Brown proposed last week does not have a long-sought rate hike for CalSTRS, which is projected to run out of money in three decades. But the budget does call for talks with teachers, schools and others to work out a rate-hike plan."

"Most California public pension funds have the power to raise annual employer rates when they need more money. The California State Teachers Retirement System, a century old this year, is an outlier that needs legislation to raise rates."

"As lawmakers at the Capitol struggled with budget cuts during a deep economic recession, pleas for a CalSTRS rate increase were not acknowledged with a legislative hearing until last year."

Speaking of money, keeping an eye on those disputed bolts in the Bay Bridge is going to cost the state $10 million annually.

From the Chronicle's Matier and Ross: "Caltrans will be spending a whopping $10 million this year to keep an eye on those questionable bolts holding together the new $6.4 billion eastern span of the Bay Bridge."

"And transportation insiders tell us that $10 million could just be the start."

"The bolt problem first surfaced in March when a third of the 96 rods used to secure seismic braces - known as shear keys - to one section of the bridge cracked when they were tightened down."

Despite all the hoopla in blog posts across the internet,  radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster has waned since the 2011 tsunami and doesn't threaten the West Coast.

From the LAT's Tony Barboza: "Experts have been trying to dispel worries stemming from a burst of online videos and blog posts in recent months that contend radiation from Fukushima is contaminating beaches and seafood and harming sea creatures across the Pacific."

"Those assertions are false and the concerns largely unfounded, scientists and government officials said last week, because Fukushima radionuclides in ocean water and marine life are at trace levels and declining — so low that they are trivial compared with what already exists in nature."

Gov. Brown, who leaked, unveiled and defended his budget blueprint last week, is hitting the road for a two-day swing through inland California to explain the budget to all who will listen.

From the Bee's David Siders: "The trip, including private meetings with local officials and media availabilities in each city, comes ahead of Brown's State of the State address later this month. The third-term Democrat, who travels relatively infrequently, said in October he was hoping to get out more to "get a real-world feel of what's under my responsibility."

"Brown, who is preparing for a likely re-election bid this year, will meet with education, water, agriculture, law enforcement and other leaders, his office said in its announcement of the trip Sunday."

A federal lawsuit accuses the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority of polluting the alpine lake with fireworks debris from Fourth of July and Labor Day. The suit seeks $75 million in  fines.

From the AP's Scott Sonner: "Joseph and Joan Truxler of Zephyr Cove, Nev., on the lake's southeast shore, insist their suit is not intended to halt the spectacular, boat-launched displays that have wowed tens of thousands of visitors for three decades."

"But they're frustrated by what they say is the authority's indifference — and state and U.S. regulators' failure — to protect the cobalt blue lake from the debris and chemical pollutants"

And from our "You Have to Be Kidding File" comes word that the Forum in L.A. has gone through a revamp that includes a huge replica of the Eagles' Hotel California album on its roof. It's the world's largest vinyl record. And it spins.

"25 tons of material, 15,000 LED lights, 1 mile of aluminum framework, and over 5 acres of printed vinyl are coming together to create an enormous Hotel California vinyl record that will spin atop The Forum's roof at 17mph. Spanning 407 feet in diameter, this is easily the largest vinyl record ever put together, and will serve as a fitting tribute to The Eagles, who'll inaugurate the new Forum with a series of six shows starting this Wednesday. The vinyl record is sturdy, able to resist winds of up to 80mph, and imposing, with lettering as large as that of the iconic "Hollywood" sign in the hills nearby."

"Such elaborate roof decorations might usually be difficult for passers-by to notice, but The Forum's location right next to LAX airport means that its musical top hat will be visible to passengers on over 1,700 flights each day."

Only in L.A. ....