Earlier today, I spoke with Representative Wesley Morgan of Ky's 81st District about his decision to vote no on the upcoming pension reform effort currently underway in Frankfort. Earlier today he took to Twitter and Facebook to indicate that he would be a no vote and that he would not be a "yes man" for anyone. In fact, a colleague of his said that this reform if passed would be the equivalent of Nancy Pelosi shoving the Affordable Care Act down everyone's throats.
Representative Morgan, a republican, noted that he agreed with my assessment that the reform we need needs to do three things.
1) Properly pay for the pension for those currently drawing from it.
2) Properly pay for the pension for those currently paying into it.
3) Freeze enrollments into the pension so that no new state employees can be entered into it.
These reforms accomplish and satisfy needs on both sides of the debate.
1) State employees currently paying into or drawing from this pension program need protected so that the fool hardy promises of politicians of times past.
2) Taxpayers need to be protected from further tax burdens.
I currently pay over 910 dollars a month in taxes before my health benefits even are considered. I cannot and will not stand for being taxed more. Representative Wesley Morgan is right in saying NO to this entire fiasco. Kentucky deserves to have a calm, rational, and measured debate and decorum about Pension Reform that includes EVERYONE. No name calling, no vitriol, just mature and decisive reform.
The ultimate conversation that MUST happen is, Why should state employees get a pension? I for one accept that careers in Emergency Services such as Firefighters, Police, EMTs simply do not have a career that can last long enough to put in contributions to a retirement program that would see them through their retirement. But Teachers??? Why on this god's green Earth should teachers get pensions? Why should any public service employee outside of emergency services get to retire on a pension partially funded by taxpayers? Pensions are rare in the private sector.
There's nothing wrong with an employer offering a pension. It's a job perk, and a great one at that. If the reason were to disappear, the state would have to start paying competitive wages to compensate. You can't put away significant money in a 401(k) when you're 45 and still making only $30k-$40k a year and supporting your family. How do you pay for college education for your kids at that pay? The pension is necessary, or else we're going to have a lot of people on government assistance after they retire.
ReplyDeleteIts why I said the pension should be closed off to new employees. If you have a family then it is your own responsibility to fund the things you want. Taxpayers should not be on the hook for paying more for the retirement pensions of state employees. Perhaps the bigger more positive side effect of pension reform will finally be the exposure of what truly isnt necessary in our State government
DeleteIts why I said the pension should be closed off to new employees. If you have a family then it is your own responsibility to fund the things you want. Taxpayers should not be on the hook for paying more for the retirement pensions of state employees. Perhaps the bigger more positive side effect of pension reform will finally be the exposure of what truly isnt necessary in our State government
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