Rascovar: O'Malley's pension fix a 'mirage'
Barry Rascovar is not a fan of Gov. O'Malley's proposed pension reforms. Or anything else in the governor's budget, either.
Even the governor's much-touted pension and retiree health reforms turn out to be mirages.His changes go only part way toward wiping out the gaping unfunded liabilities. O'Malley's plan saves money for a few years, but after he's out of office the costs to taxpayers start rising again.
Maryland government retirees and retired teachers will continue to enjoy better health and pension benefits than private-sector workers. It remains a sweet deal — full retirement after 30 years service regardless of age, early retirement at 60 and a cheaper drug plan than Medicare offers.
The governor did nothing to force county governments to share in teacher pensions costs, either. The state bears the entire burden, which will soar as counties raise teacher salaries annually without worrying about the extra pension expenses being created.
Comments
He's not the only one.
Monoblogue had a good piece about what MOM is up to yesterday:
http://monoblogue.us/2011/01/27/is-the-mom-magic-fading/
Posted by: John J. Walters | January 28, 2011 11:39 AM
Maryland government retirees and retired teachers will continue to enjoy better health and pension benefits than private-sector workers.
So what.
Are these benefits any better than they have a right to expect? Are they so out of line with the prior commitments made when they came on board (and stayed on board)?
And again, why is it that the screwing over that private sector workers get lauded as some sort of net social good?
Posted by: MrRational | January 28, 2011 12:34 PM
Mr Rational really nails a big point when he adds that screwing over any worker , private or gov't ,is just wrong. Most people don't want to teach kids today, the teachers who have submitted their part of their retirements have been screwed over because the general assembly has not submitted their portion of the retirement deal. The teachers who stay in the system don't deserve being turned on any more then any other worker in society. I'll bet the Miller's & Bush's made sure their retirements are properly taken care of even after 1 or 2 terms of office. I am tired of the double standards and of politicians that play mind games like the one referenced in the Sun article.BCPS
Posted by: double standard | January 28, 2011 7:13 PM
And to think, this jack A*S*S ridiculed NJ's Gov. Christie who ACTUALLY is taking on the Unions.
Throw this bum OUT !
Posted by: Tough Love | January 29, 2011 3:04 AM
I see that the Pubbies are out in force to "bitch slap" O'Malley. Where were they last November? Oh yeah, they "also ran". Am I to assume that they want to renege on the contract that Maryland has with retirees and employees?
Rascovar has not written a positive article on Maryland democrats since he hooked up with Blair Lee. Judge Silver must be disappointed!
Posted by: Old Dem | February 4, 2011 9:43 AM