Private lobbyists get public pensions in 20 states
Sunday August 25, 2013, 11:08 AM
MICHAEL GORMLEY
Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. — As a lobbyist in New York’s statehouse, Stephen Acquario is doing pretty well. He pulls down $204,000 a year, more than the governor makes, gets a Ford Explorer as his company car and is afforded another special perk:
Even though he’s not a government employee, he is entitled to a full state pension.
He’s among hundreds of lobbyists in at least 20 states who get public pensions because they represent associations of counties, cities and school boards, an Associated Press review found. Legislatures granted them access decades ago on the premise that they serve governments and the public. In many cases, such access also includes state health care benefits.
But several states have started to question whether these organizations should qualify for such benefits, since they are private entities in most respects: They face no public oversight of their activities, can pay their top executives private-sector salaries and sometimes lobby for positions in conflict with taxpayers. New Jersey and Illinois are among the states considering legislation that would end their inclusion.
“It’s a question of, ‘Why are we providing government pensions to these private organizations?'” said Illinois Democratic Rep. Elaine Nekritz.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/Private_lobbyists_get_public_pensions_in_20_states_.html?page=all#sthash.KLi6W7qb.dpuf
Funny how news stories all seem to connect with one another.
That is of course if you look close enough.
now your starting to think a bit
They alSo allow cops to pad pensions. Snoozing for dollars in the last two years of employment.
#3 that’s bullshit cop pensions in nj are calculated off base salary only. no ot or any other pay is allowed
It is all one big con game at taxpayer expense.
Wasn’t this about NY lobbiests?
And Nj cops have games to play too.
Its funny that no one ever bring up Fireman and their pensions. Its all about the cops. I guess you don’t like authority figures .
The pfrs pension system is the most tightly regulated, conservatively disbursed, pension system in the state and quite possibly the country. The only games played there are in your head.