Miley Cyrus issues apology [View all]

[Bennyboy]

Where's the Outrage? Some Lobbyists Get Taxpayer Funded Pensions in 20 States!



MARK KARLIN, EDITOR OF BUZZFLASH AT TRUTHOUT

lobby26-8During a period of blaring "austerity" when a key goal of those with means is to cut pensions that have been fairly earned by public employees, it is astonishing to read that some lobbyists in 40% of US states get paid pensions from the public trough.

According to an August 25 Associated Press (AP) article:

Hundreds of lobbyists in at least 20 states ... 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....

"It's clear that there's a big problem with hypocrisy when these lobbyists have been pushing austerity and benefit cuts for other government workers while they themselves enjoy solid state pensions," said Michael Kink of the progressive group Strong Economy for All Coalition. "`Do as I say, not as I do' seems to be their approach on retirement cuts."

"Workers who have faced cuts in pay and pensioners have a right to be angry - as do voters," Kink said.





http://www.truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/item/18160-where-s-the-outrage-some-lobbyists-get-taxpayer-funded-pensions-in-20-states