"[A] California Superior Court judge [recently] struck down efforts by the city of Los Angeles to limit that city's contributions to retiree health care benefits.... Moody's Investors Service calls the implications 'significant' because the decision implies that the benefits have legal protections comparable to pensions.... Moody's ... said the ruling will have a negative impact on Los Angeles' credit rating as well as San Jose as that city is also dealing with similar litigation."  MORE >>