Gov. Branstad and IA General Assembly: Release Iowa’s Public Pension Numbers!

CHICAGO – Taxpayers United of America (TUA) Vice President, Christina Tobin, called on Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and the Iowa General Assembly to set the standard for transparency by releasing its government pension data.
“I have written letters to Gov. Branstad 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 is in Iowa this week, releasing pension estimates for government employees.  The first stop was the Iowa Capitol to hand-deliver the letters.  TUA held a press conference in Des Moines, releasing pension estimates for state and local government employees.”
“Iowa 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 Branstad to take the lead in making Iowa above reproach through complete transparency with public funds.”

Cedar Rapids & Iowa City : Government Pensions Top Secret

CEDAR RAPIDS—A report released today by Taxpayers United of America (TUA) reveals salaries and top pension estimates for the government employees of the cities of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Linn and Johnson Counties,  and area government teachers.  These government employees are not only receiving generous salaries, but as retirees, many will become pension millionaires. Iowa bureaucrats refuse to release pension figures, so total pension payouts were estimated* for this report.
“One really has to question why Iowa lawmakers keep individual pension information in a shroud of secrecy. Prohibiting public review of this information sends a message to taxpayers that lawmakers are more concerned with protecting abusers and double-dippers than imposing adequate reforms on a system that holds taxpayers hostage,” said Christina Tobin, TUA Vice President.

“Cedar Rapids and Iowa City taxpayers struggle through this recession with average wages of $30,000 to $43,000, while government employees really rake it in for as many as 30 years of retirement.” (Click here to read the entire article…)

Des Moines Iowa: Government Pensions Top Secret

DES MOINES—A report released today by Taxpayers United of America (TUA) reveals salaries and top pension estimates for the government employees of the cities of Des Moines, Ames, Boone; the counties of Polk and Story, Iowa government teachers, as well as Iowa State employees.  These government employees are not only receiving generous salaries, but as retirees, many will become pension millionaires. Iowa bureaucrats refuse to release pension figures, so total pension payouts were estimated* for this report.
“One really has to question why Iowa lawmakers keep individual pension information in a shroud of secrecy. Prohibiting public review of this information sends a message to taxpayers that lawmakers are more concerned with protecting abusers and double-dippers than imposing adequate reforms on a system that holds taxpayers hostage,” said Christina Tobin, TUA Vice President.
Click below to view:
Des Moines, Iowa City Government Top 25 Estimated Pensions
Ames, Iowa City Government Top25 Estimated Pensions
Boone, Iowa City Government Top 25 Estimated Pensions
Polk County, Iowa Government Top 25 Estimated Pensions 
Polk County Iowa Government Teachers Top 25 Estimated Pensions 
Story County, Iowa Government  Top 25 Estimated Pensions  
Story County, Iowa Government Teachers Top 25 Est. pensions
Iowa University Top 100 Estimated Pensions  
Iowa State Judges Top 25 Estimated Pensions
Iowa State Legislators Top 25 Estimated Pensions
Iowa State Police and Fire Top 25 Estimated Pensions
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