IOWA – Taxpayers United of America has released the top pension estimates for Iowa government teachers and employees. “We are shedding light at last, on the problems with Iowa’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 Iowa. Much more pressure is needed from taxpayers,” she said.
“Iowa’s government pension system desperately needs reform. Releasing the specific names and pension amounts would show who’s really benefitting,” said Tobin. “But Iowa refuses to release actual individual pension payments. Why won’t the Governor let Iowans 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 Iowa.”
Tobin, who toured through Iowa towns revealing top government pension estimates to the public, was covered by KGAN TV CBS 2, CBS 4 Quad Cities, The Daily Iowan, The Gazette, Eastern Iowa Government, The Republic (AP), and WHO Newsradio 1040.
TUA will be exploring all options to get the information still being withheld by the government bureaucrats of Iowa, released. “I have written letters to Governor Branstad and the members of the Iowa General Assembly, asking for transparency. As long as taxpayers foot the 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.
Click Here to View All Iowa Pensions
TUA will be revealing more States’ pensions across the nation, including those of Ohio, Kansas, and Arizona in the coming weeks.
DAVENPORT—A report released today by Taxpayers United of America (TUA) reveals salaries and top pension estimates for the government employees of the city of Davenport and Scott County. 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.
- Davenport IA City Government Employees Top 25 Estimated Pensions
- Scott County IA Government Employees Top 25 Est. Pensions
“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.
“Davenport and Scott County taxpayers struggle through this recession with average wages of $36,000 while government employees really rake it in for as many as 30 years of retirement.” (Click here to read the entire article…) →
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.”
