Click here to view this release as a PDF
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…) →
Click to view a PDF of the lawsuit
Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America, (“TUA”), has filed suit to: 1) stop the increase 2) order the Tollway Authority to comply with the law that requires it to convert toll highways into freeways and 3) dissolve the Tollway Authority itself.
The suit also challenges the doubling of tolls for cash users, and seeks permission to proceed as a class action on behalf of all tollway users. The December 20th hearing will decide whether the Circuit Court of Cook County will permit the Tollway Authority to virtually double tolls and to convert the Elgin-O’Hare Freeway into a toll highway.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is representing the Tollway. She has asked the court to throw out Tobin’s case in its entirety. (Read more…) →
