I blogged recently on the incredible overlap of government and services in New York and how that redundancy adds to the tax burden of New Yorkers. In yesterday's Journal News, there was a special report on pensioners, that is, retired government employees who are allowed to legally "double dip" and get another government job. One retired Ossining, NY school superintendent with a $165,000 pension is allowed to hold the same position in the nearby Katonah-Lewisboro school district and collect a $235,000 salary, all on our backs. He's 65, so he also collects social security. I don't begrudge a good living to anyone, but this is wasteful and has a high opportunity cost.
The waiver in the law that allows this is intended to handle an emergency or hard to fill vacancy. Clearly, it is being abused. There are hundreds of cases like this in schools, county and state government, law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
You can read the entire article here:
http://www.lohud.com/article/2009902220343
We need more reporting like this. There has to be more transparency in how our tax money is spent, and those with their hand on the budget strings need to be more mindful that it is our money and we want it spent wisely or not spent. That is the only way that taxes will not spiral even more out of control than they already have.
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Good morning Philip. Not sure I agree with you on this one. it isn't that this individual is receiving money and not doing the work. He put his time in. The Katonah district needs a superintendant. He's 65 and been working forever, so? good for him no?
Fine, let's defer his pension until he stops working. Fair? The law forbids double dipping, and the waiver that allows exceptions is abused.
There has to be more oversight on how taxes are spent.
Hi Phillip,
Good point. Unfortunately, the teacher's union is so strong in NY that any change to any policy concerning education is not going to happen. I know, I taught in NY for 34 years.
I am not living in Myrtle Beach where my property taxes on a $700,000 home are $1300 and my heating/air conditioning bill has never been over $140. I was amazed at the low cost of electricity especially since it is generated the same way no matter where you live. All those taxes at every level in NY add up.
Thanks for the post...
I agree Phillip that is outrageous. People will work the system if they are able to get away with it however...