Don't forget folks that the politicians and government administrators love to blame PERS because nothing can realistically be done about it.  In terms of adverse effects, probably the endless pay raises given to public employees have done much more damage, but politicians and government administrators do not want you to think about it because pay raises can be controlled if we demanded.  Same thing for other cost cutting measures.  Don't look there.  Look at PERS which can't be changed and send us more tax money.