People unclear on the concept - the city of San Bernardino, California

From Reuters:

Bankrupt San Bernardino approves over $1 mln in pay hikes
The bankrupt city of San Bernardino, California, approved over $1 million in pay increases for police and firefighters despite claims it can barely make payroll, let alone afford the salary hikes.

Monday night's pay increases, for a city that appears before a federal judge again this week to plead for bankruptcy protection, are a result of its charter. It mandates that pay for safety workers must be tied to salary levels for 10 similar- sized California cities, all of which are wealthier than San Bernardino.

The bankruptcy of the city 65 miles east of Los Angeles is a national test case on whether the pensions of government workers take precedence over other payments in a municipal bankruptcy. It is a high-stakes issue for pension plans and their beneficiaries, and for Wall Street bondholders who lend money to governments.

Moves to have the city charter overturned, so the city can set its own pay levels, have failed to get the majority needed on the city council in the past year.

Council members opposing a charter change have received campaign contributions from police and fire unions in past elections. They argue that police and firefighters would leave San Bernardino if they were not paid wages similar to other cities.

Emphasis mine -- the finest politicians that money can buy. They need to get some adults in the room -- people who will follow the wishes of their citizens and not the lobbyist groups. Another perfect example of union overreach -- they had their day once...