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CHICAGO–On December 20, 2011, Judge Rita Novak of the Cook County Circuit Court will hear arguments by Taxpayers United of Illinois (TUA) and other plaintiffs aimed at stopping the impending January 1, 2012 toll tax increase.
TUA President Jim Tobin has filed suit to stop the increase, order the Tollway Authority to comply with state law that requires it to convert toll roads into freeways, and then dissolve itself.
“Its outrageous that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is going to oppose us in court and is supporting the back-breaking, illegal 90% increase in tolls paid by cash users of the tollway system,” said Jim Tobin, TUA President. Madigan’s office is representing the Tollway. “She has asked the court to throw out our case in its entirety when she should be protecting taxpayers from this illegal bureaucracy and its crony-driven expansion plans,” Tobin added. “Who will protect taxpayers from the attorney general?” (Read more…) →
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CHICAGO – Taxpayers United of America Vice President, Christina Tobin, called on Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to set the standard for transparency by leading his state to release its government pension data.
“I have written a letter to Gov. Beshear, urging him to change the culture of secrecy surrounding government employee pension benefit amounts. He can champion a culture of transparency to ensure honesty and integrity through unlimited public review of all taxpayer funds”.
“I will be in Kentucky next week, releasing pension estimates for government employees. My first stop will be the Governor’s office to hand deliver the letter. TUA will hold a press conference on the steps of the Capitol in Frankfort, releasing pension estimates for state and local government employees.”
“Kentucky is one of a few states that interpret 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”.
“I have asked Governor Beshear to take the lead in making Kentucky above reproach through complete transparency with public funds.” (Read more…) →
MICHIGAN – Taxpayers United of America has released the top pensions for Michigan government teachers and employees. “This is an effort to shed light on the problems with Michigan’s government pension system in a way that the average, working taxpayer can relate to,” said Christina Tobin, Vice President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA), and founder and President of ‘Free and Equal.’ “While some reforms have occurred in Michigan, more pressure needs to be applied by taxpayers,” she said.
“The broken government pension system desperately needs reform, and revealing individual names and pension amounts illustrates the problem very clearly,” said Tobin. “The current system, designed to keep the wrong people in power, is corrupt. It is a system that makes government, and those with whom government negotiates — union bosses, politicians, and administrators — wealthy on the backs of taxpayers.”
“There is no fair representation of taxpayers. This is a nationwide, non-partisan problem that burdens the Left and Right alike, and has fueled the financial crisis facing Michigan taxpayers and retirees. The urgency of this crisis is illustrated by the extensive press coverage that our government pension reports have received throughout Michigan.” (Read more…) →
