Comments on: Reform before revenue, part 2 — pension reform

By: Nancy Oteri

Nancy Oteri — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:33:24 +0000

Will, Please count me in as adamant about the need for major retroactive pension reform. It makes no sense to talk about change if the cutting does not include the pensions already draining the public coffers. I would include all pensions, not just the wink, wink, nudge, nudge special deals.

Please let your colleagues know that your constituency is watching every move. We will not stand for revenue enhancement without first seeing “blood seeping from that stone.”

By: Spencer Robinson

Spencer Robinson — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:28:35 +0000

Elizabeth,

I only mention your situation because you have used it to argue your point of view. Re: your 10% pension witholding. How much of your contribution is matched by the municipality you serve? I believe the MBTA will contribute up to 6% of an employee’s salary. In the private sector a 1/2-2% match is more the norm.

Spencer

By: Kathleen Knisely

Kathleen Knisely — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:15:03 +0000

Today’s Globe headline says it all: “Pension debate divides the Hill: Changes may mean legislators lose perks”.

Pension reform before revenue. If not now, when?

What is right is worth the fight.

By: Robert Mitchell

Robert Mitchell — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:41:33 +0000

REform REform Reform.
The public is aware now. More stories keep coming out.
It reaching a boiling point!

Why should my civil servants have a better plan then myself.
Give them a 401K like I have.

By: Elizabeth Seelman

Elizabeth Seelman — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:07:55 +0000

I am a municipal employee and I am afraid the entire public workforce is being tainted by the pension abuses. Close to 10% of my income goes to the pension fund. Due to the windfall elimination law, many of us will be penalized as far as our social security payments are concerned. For those of us on the older end of the workforce who have not worked for the government for 30 years, our pensions will not be very big. It is hard to imagine being able to retire at all.

By: Kathleen Knisely

Kathleen Knisely — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:13:42 +0000

I am heartened by your tenacity on this issue. I have worked closely with two of the posterboys for this problem — good people who indeed have done good things for the public — but there is NO EXCUSE for the abuse of public dollars. When “good people” behave so unethically, it indicates that it is widely accepted in the state legislature. “Everyone does it,” wink, wink. I so value your integrity in service on the issue. Actions like these diminish taxpayer support for taxes on much needed programs.