SAN DIEGO (AP) — As state and local governments across the country struggle with ballooning pension obligations, voters in two major California cities are being asked for answers.

Ballot measures Tuesday in San Diego and San Jose — the nation's eighth- and 10th-largest cities — are among the most sweeping yet to cut pensions for government workers, and the results are being closely watched well beyond California. The propositions are unusual because they not only target new hires but also current employees.

Supporters have a straightforward pitch: Pensions for city workers are unaffordable and more generous than many private companies offer, forcing libraries to slash hours and potholes to go unfilled.