KANSAS CITY, KS— Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today revealed government employee wages and pension estimates for Kansas City and Lawrence, and Wyandotte and Douglas Counties. Kansas’ government employees are not only receiving generous salaries, but when retired, many will become pension millionaires. Kansas officials refused to release pension figures, so the pension payouts are close estimates* for this report.
“Why are Kansas lawmakers hiding their pension information? Are they more concerned with protecting abusers, than reforming a system that holds taxpayers hostage?” asked Christina Tobin, TUA Vice President.
Click the links below to view the estimated pensions and the letter to the governor and legislature:
OHIO – Taxpayers United of America has released the top pension estimates for Ohio government teachers and employees. “We are shedding light at last, on the problems with Ohio’s government pension system,” said Christina Tobin, Vice President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA), and founder and President of ‘Free and Equal Elections.’ “Minimal reform has occurred in Ohio. Much more pressure is needed from taxpayers,” she said.
“Ohio’s government pension system desperately needs reform. Releasing the specific names and pension amounts would show who’s really benefiting,” said Tobin. “But Ohio refuses to release actual individual pension payments. Why won’t the Governor let Ohioans see the facts?”
“There is no fair representation of taxpayers. This is a nationwide problem that burdens the Left and Right alike, and has fueled the financial crisis facing taxpayers and retirees. The urgency of this crisis is illustrated by the extensive press coverage that our government pension reports have received throughout Ohio.”
Tobin, who toured through Ohio towns revealing top government pension estimates to the public, was covered by The Lima News, WTOL 11 TV , WKBN 27 TV, Columbus Dispatch, Toledo Blade, 89.7 NPR News, WFMJ NBC, and The Republic (AP).
TUA will be exploring all options to get the information still being withheld by the government bureaucrats of Ohio, released. “I have written letters to Governor Kasich and the members of the Ohio General Assembly, asking for transparency. As long as taxpayers feel the pain of the hefty bill for these pensions, those payments should be available for public review.” Tobin plans to work with legislators but does not exclude the possibility of filing a lawsuit to obtain the information.
TUA will be revealing more States’ pensions across the nation, including those of Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Arizona in the coming weeks.
Click here to view full release as a PDF
CHICAGO – Taxpayers United of America (TUA) Vice President, Christina Tobin, called on Ohio Gov. John Kasich and the Ohio General Assembly to set the standard for transparency by releasing its government pension data.
“I have written letters to Gov. Kasich and the members of the General Assembly, urging them to change the culture of secrecy surrounding government employee pension benefit amounts. They can champion a culture of transparency to ensure honesty and integrity through unlimited public review of all taxpayer funds.”
“TUA was in Ohio last week, releasing pension estimates for government employees. The first stop was the Ohio Capitol to hand-deliver the letters. TUA held press conferences in Columbus, Youngstown, Toledo and Cleveland releasing pension estimates for state and local government employees.”
“Ohio is one of a few states that interprets its Open Records Act exception regarding personal information to include pension payments. But as long as taxpayers fund the pensions, they have a right to review them.”
“In order to have the critical dialogue about meaningful pension reforms, Ohioans need to know exactly what kind of lavish pensions their tax dollars are providing for government employees.”
“I have asked Governor Kasich and the 129th Ohio General Assembly to take the lead in making Ohio above reproach through complete transparency with public funds.”
Click below to view:
