Next month, Phoenix voters will decide on two ballot measures. One of them — Proposition 106 — is connected to one of the city’s more difficult challenges: pension costs. The pension-related debt is several billion dollars in total.

Phoenix is far from alone among cities that need to take other steps related to pensions, but has instituted reforms in recent years. For supporters of Proposition 106 — which is being called the Responsible Budget Act — an additional needed reform would limit city spending until much more of the pension-tied debt is paid down.

The Show spoke with proposition supporter Merissa Hamilton. She is a spokesperson for Responsible Budgets.

Proposition 106, however, has a long list of opponents, including Arizona’s AFL-CIO. To talk about why he’s against the measure, The Show also spoke with Joseph Witt. He belongs to AFSCME Local 2960, a union that represents city of Phoenix employees.

Election Day in Phoenix is August 27, with early ballots going out on July 31.

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