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Walker stalled on paying more to pension!!!
Egads! Witness investigative journalism at its finest - the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel has written yet another story on evil Governor Scott Walker - exposing one more lie in a series of his seemingly endless lies and unethical behaviors! It appears as though Governor Walker didn't start IMMEDIATELY paying more for his state pension like he promised during his campaign. It's a wonder Walker hasn't been impeached or sent to the slammer! The horrors!
The Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel (10/15/11) writes: Walker stalled on paying more to pension.
It is only after reading the entire article that the truth comes out: over the course of Walkers' four year term, he will eventually end up paying more than he even promised to pay on the campaign trail towards his own pension. This will be because of Walkers' own legislation raising pension contributions. As a side note, Walker only stated during his campaign for Governor:
"As governor, I'll pay my share toward my retirement because everyone should pay their own way, including me." - Scott Walker. Walker IS doing so. Did Walker ever mention a timetable? saying that immediately upon election he'd start funding his own pension? It doesn't appear so.
Of course the Democratic Party is outraged! How dare Walker promise to pay more for his own pension and then not start until seven months into his term!!! What a scoundrel! State Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski remarks: "Walker's promise to pay more later didn't make up for his delay in paying the higher contributions. It's another thing he lied about." Sure, Graeme. Where were you when one of the most unethical governors our state has ever seen was in charge? Diamond Jim Doyle - the one who never met a budget he could honestly balance? the one who had shady train dealings going on - leaving the taxpayers and Walker to clean up the mess? The one who lied to us all about not raising taxes? The one who left Wisconsin deep in a red financial hole.
The hypocrisy from the left just keeps on coming - and getting even better.
And right now, it is estimated that Governor Walker will contribute $34,108.00 back to the state over his four years in office. More than Walker had even promised to begin with. What did Jim Doyle ever give back? Tom Barrett? Chris Abele?
So for some reason, this IS a big story. Help me out here. I just don't understand. Governor Jim Doyle can steal, lie, tax and spend, run the state into the ground and we don't hear a peep from the Journal/Sentinel or Dems - yet Scott Walker is a bad guy because he didn't start to IMMEDIATELY contribute to his own pension plan??? And lets not get started on all the lies coming out of the even higher-ups in office at the federal level - like President Obama. Somehow THIS is an honest-to-goodness "gotcha" story? Incredible.
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58 Comments
Carl Hicks - Oct 15, 2011 2:37 PM
The only thing that makes this news is the idea that this politician fought so hard to make other state employees pay their fair share of their pensions and then he dosn't. I know if this story was about a non consevative you would be calling them all types of names but I know you would never criticize one of your own.
He can "estimate" his future payments all he wants but by not making his payments in a timely fashion so far I think we see his agenda.
MGarber - Oct 15, 2011 4:13 PM
So you're complaining about an article that contains the truth????? Is this anything like the article that you didnt think was high enough on the front page?
"Of course the Democratic Party is outraged!"
Who cares what they think? Do you???
ahemmer - Oct 15, 2011 4:45 PM
I haven't been able to find anything saying that Walker said he'd start paying right away upon election. And as the article points out, Walker is actually going to be PAYING MORE than was originally thought.
So, Carl Hicks states: "The only thing that makes this news is the idea that this politician fought so hard to make other state employees pay their fair share of their pensions and then he dosn't." Not true in the least Carl. Scott Walker IS paying - even more than originally planned. And from all I can read and see on past campaign ads on YouTube, Scott Walker never stated he'd start paying for his own pension IMMEDIATELY upon taking office.
Let's not forget, either, that Walker - while Milwaukee County Executive - paid back $60,000.00 of his annual salary of $130,000.00 for each year he was in office until 2008, when he reduced it to $10,000.00 per year. The Dems were up in arms over that, too, saying that Walker lied about the $60,000.00 amount - although Walker had never said how many years he would be paying $60,000.00 for.
Now ask yourself, isn't it incredible for a politician/public servant to even give back so much? But no, that wasn't even enough for the Dems. For some reason, what Walker did was wrong, even though it sure was in the best interest of the taxpayers who aren't very use to politicians giving back some of their salary or paying for their own pensions.
Again, this is much ado about nothing. Did Walker commit a crime? Did he lie? Was he "dishonest to the people?" No. If you read his words and the subsequent follow-ups, you'll see that he - as Governor - is going to be contributing more to his own pension than he even said to begin with!
MGarber: No, I don't care in the least what the Democratic Party thinks.
Carl Hicks - Oct 15, 2011 5:23 PM
"However, since he's been County Executive, Walker has been receiving pension benefits at the original $129,611 salary level.
But if Walker's pension benefits were calculated at the $69,611 levels from 2002-'08, and $119,611 from 2009-'10 , he should receive only $13,137 per year in taxpayer-funded retirement pension benefits. Instead he is receiving $20,737 per year – or $414,740 over a typical 20-year retirement."
http://www.wisdems.org/news/press/view/498
I wonder... is he using his Milwaukee Co pension to pay part of his Governors pension?
Carl Hicks - Oct 15, 2011 5:25 PM
'Pulitzer Prize winning tax reporter, David Cay Johnston, has written a brilliant piece for tax.com exposing the truth about who really pays for the pension and benefits for public employees in Wisconsin"
ahemmer - Oct 15, 2011 5:38 PM
I'd love to hear some calculations on how much money the past governor - Jim Doyle - saved or gave back to the taxpayers. Or Tom Barrett. Chris Abele - who hasn't paid income taxes (nor parking or DUI tickets until forced to) and is extremely wealthy without having to lift a finger - is taking his full salary as County Executive. No outrage there? From all the Dems screaming about "fairness" and "spread the wealth?" Ah, the hypocrisy of the Democ-rats.
ExToDResident - Oct 15, 2011 5:58 PM
I can hear your tirade if it had been a “liberal”. It is funny how when a “liberal” Democrat breaks a campaign promise, in the conservative world they are vilified and despised for their lies.
However when a “conservative” Republican does exactly the same thing (break a promise) what the conservative did somehow isn’t quite as bad as when the liberal democrats do it.
If the act was despicable enough it is excused by claiming that they aren’t really true conservatives or are RINOs.
ahemmer - Oct 15, 2011 6:50 PM
Just look at what he did as a County Executive, too. Walker returned $370,000.00 to the taxpayers from HIS OWN SALARY over the years he served.
C'mon. Give the guy some credit. What liberal politcian can claim the same? Certainly not Chris Abele - the new County Exec in Milwaukee - who bought his position. And Abele is keeping his entire salary (maybe he'll actually pay taxes on his income for once!). Also - Abele saw fit to cut the public safety costs by a whopping $14 million in the Sheriff's Dept. and 240 jobs. All while increasing costs in order to pay for the much-needed (sarcasm here) "domestic partner benfits" that Abele wanted, when there wasn't much "need" for that, nor much clamoring to impose such goofiness on the taxpayers of Milwaukee. Go figure. So public safety is slashed, while "partners" benefit. Just a day in the life of a liberal, I guess.
geno53151 - Oct 15, 2011 7:00 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Drowning in deficits, Illinois has turned to a deliberate policy of not paying billions of dollars in bills for months at a time, creating a cycle of hardship and sacrifice for residents and businesses helping the state carry out some of the most important government tasks.
As of early last month, the state owed on 166,000 unpaid bills worth a breathtaking $5 billion, with nearly half of that amount more than a month overdue and hundreds of bills dating back to 2010, according to an Associated Press analysis of state documents.
The true backlog is even higher because some bills have not yet been approved for payment and officially added to the tally. This includes the Illinois health care agency, which says it is sitting on about $1.9 billion in bills from Medicaid providers because there's no money to pay it.
Carl Hicks - Oct 15, 2011 7:18 PM
"Kohl, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, considers himself something of a bargain for the taxpayer. Though he has to receive the pay increases given to Members of Congress, at the end of each year he writes a check to the Bureau of Public Debt for the difference between his salary (currently $174,000) and the $89,500 he earned upon joining the Senate. He also has returned more than $5 million in unspent office allocations."
Herb has returned far more...And Fiengold returned his annual raise and unspent allocations also...yet you despise them both...Walker giving back a big part of his pay but pulling the higher pension all the while telling us how pensions are what is killing the budget just isn't right to me.But to the right I guess it's all right because they are the right.
Walker pulled that off pretty slick, he gave back about $370K ( I wonder at which pay rate he was taxed at)and will net over $400k in retirement bennies from the county ( typical 20 year retirement, but he's a young guy yet...)
ahemmer - Oct 15, 2011 8:29 PM
Herb Kohl has an estimated wealth between $100 - $250 million dollars. To win his senate seat, over the course of all the years since 1988, Kohl has spent $25 million dollars of his own money. I wouldn't put him in the same league as Scott Walker, would you? Yet, Walker has given back $370,000.00 to the state while a County Executive. Kohl was paid a higher yearly salary, and just gave back the difference in pay from what he first earned when he was elected till the present. Russ Feingold gave back his pay raise each year, which most recently would have been $1,600.00 for the year. WOW!!!
Got any better comparisons that make sense, Carl?
And you are right - I am not fond of either Herbie "do nothing" Kohl, nor Russ Finkgold (so glad he is gone and a true conservative took his place - Ron Johnson!). Both were very happy to spend taxpayer money all the years they were in office - no problem there!!! Typical tax-and-spend libs. Glad Finkgold is out and Kohl is on his way.
WFB resident - Oct 15, 2011 10:47 PM
what fink and the kole make ? lol..... Keep on trying soon you might find somebody
who is as decent as Walker . He will be a conservative though .
BruceSpringsteen - Oct 16, 2011 8:57 AM
today would think that Walker's broken promise is a non-issue.
A lie is a lie - even for a MEpublican.
ahemmer - Oct 16, 2011 10:19 AM
"As governor, I'll pay my share toward my retirement because everyone should pay their own way, including me." - Scott Walker. And he is.
And who is the "someone" who thinks public schools are better off today? Please explain. I personally feel that taxpayers should hold schools accountable and get a bigger bang for their buck. If most of that "bang" was going to pay for the pensions, health care, and benefits of teachers/administrators, how much was actually going to education? The budget make-up and expenditures need to be brought in focus with what is needed in education to make students succeed. The tools for a great education are what is the most important. The slogan "It's for the kids" only goes so far after people learn where taxpayer dollars really are going. Walker addressed the unsustainable issues in public school budgets and is trying to bring a dose of common sense for the future. We can have a great educational system in this country - if the feds get out of the way (The NEA should be abolished for starters), and the states have control. And we don't have to spend a fortune to do so - we can live within our means and educate students without breaking the bank (taxpayers).
WFB resident - Oct 16, 2011 12:37 PM
Milwaukee is because they signed contracts to screw the Public and the system is
suffering for it ! Plus Walker has not gone far enough . I know people that work part
time and get pensions ! not to mention some with benefits and working under 40
hours a week . Shame on those PDLS's screwing the public . They should be
ashamed . As for a lie from Walker. Is he paying or not ? Please answer the
question Is he ? .........Yes he is the only lie is yours .
- Oct 16, 2011 3:35 PM
Doyle quit, knowing the deficit and mess he was facing. Left like a coward he is rather than face the voters. Walker has done more for our state by eliminating our deficet and not giving into the hate mongrel Lefties whims.
Now continue to spew your hatred of Walker rather than use the common sense I hope the Lord gave you. If you don't like living in Wisconsin, you can cross the state line and live in the great state of Illinois. They can sure use the taxes you will pay. GO BADGERS!!!!
ahemmer - Oct 16, 2011 5:16 PM
Walker, upon becoming County Executive, signed an order reducing his own pension. He the asked the County Board to do the same - reduce their own pensions. The vote failed.
As County Executive, there was only so much Walker could do - especially with a liberal County Board bent on stopping whatever Walker wanted to do for the most part.
Walker expressed deep disappointment at the time - that the Board wouldn't vote in favor of following Walker's own example.
ahemmer - Oct 16, 2011 6:44 PM
Walker never said outright that he'd begin immediately paying towards his own pension if elected governor. So what if he waited 7 months to do so - he is paying for his own pension -even more than originally planned. I still wonder why lefties are so outraged over a politician who is doing something to save taxpayers money and hasn't done anything illegal or unethical in the long run. What Walker is doing is very admirable. Very few politicians EVEN CONSIDER what Scott Walker has done. And, as County Exec, he did give back $370,000.00 - isn't that incredible???
Yet all the lefties can harp on is that Walker didn't start paying for his own pension until a few months after becoming governor! Oh, what a slimebag!!! Kick him out of office! He's got to go!
My goodness. What a joke.
And SPalin/Sirlaughsalittle/Sirlaughsalot/bamaphd/Jmark: Why are YOU wondering who someone is??? (SPalin: "I'm curious, who's the jerk making a fool of himself at 3:35?") We wonder the same about you every time you comment! Who the fool is and who you are pretending to be at the moment! :)
geno53151 - Oct 16, 2011 6:46 PM
WFB resident - Oct 16, 2011 8:23 PM
paying back just a couple of months later than at your assistance . Yet your o has
lied about many things and he is at almost 3 years !! Well is the o a liar ? Who did
you vote for ? lol..... you are just as bad as the o !