Posted on 08/25/2013 6:35:03 PM PDT by NoLibZone
ALBANY, N.Y. – As a lobbyist in New York's statehouse, Stephen Acquario is doing pretty well. He pulls down $204,000 a year, more than the governor makes, gets a Ford Explorer as his company car and is afforded another special perk:
Even though he's not a government employee, he is entitled to a full state pension.
He's among hundreds of lobbyists in at least 20 states who get public pensions because they represent associations of counties, cities and school boards, an Associated Press review found. Legislatures granted them access decades ago on the premise that they serve governments and the public. In many cases, such access also includes state health care benefits.
But several states have started to question whether these organizations should qualify for such benefits, since they are private entities in most respects: They face no public oversight of their activities, can pay their top executives private-sector salaries and sometimes lobby for positions in conflict with taxpayers. New Jersey and Illinois are among the states considering legislation that would end their inclusion.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
They forgot the important part: It cost the legislators nothing, because the taxpayer had to cover it, and the lobbyists probably paid handsomely over the years.
...just another rat slush fund...(kickbacks)
“But several states have started to question whether these organizations should qualify for such benefits, since they are private entities in most respects:”
I constantly marvel at the all to numerous ways that our government, at all levels screws us!.
One guess on Who Lobbied for it and how much they 'donated' to politicians to get it passed.
They are all ripping us off as fast as they can.
lobbyists in at least 20 states who get public pensions
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