Reform in the wrong direction

by: Hopeful

Fri May 21, 2010 at 01:48:15 PM EDT

Republican Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco just sent us a press release about his new bill:

Legislators and other part-time elected and appointed public officials would no longer be entitled to taxpayer-funded health and pension benefits for their current positions under a bill recently introduced by Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco.
"Taxpayers have shared in the sacrifice to correct New Jersey's excessive government spending, but those of us privileged to hold elective office should be leading by example," said DiCicco, R-Gloucester and Camden. "Overtaxed New Jerseyans should not be paying for generous health and pension benefits to part-time public officials."

Obviously this has a certain attraction but I actually think it's reform in the wrong direction. A wiser reform would be to make state legislators full-time, with health benefits and defined retirement contributions (since it's not meant to be a lifetime job). That was we would be spared the spectacle of New Jersey legislators becoming paid "consultants" by firms seeking political advantage, or also serving as lawyers "representing" towns getting state money. It may be a satisfying to call legislators part-time workers but that illusion is linked to many conflicts of interest.

Hopeful :: Reform in the wrong direction

Tags: Domenick DiCiccio, reform, benefits, full time legislature, legislators, (All Tags)

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Reform in the wrong direction | 4 comments

Right on Hopeful! (4.00 / 1)

Yes, yes, and yes. The Legislature is too important a part of our government to be relegated to part-time status, which only encourages members conflict-of-interest employment. As full-time employees such outside activities could be ended or strictly limited. Also expecting them to contribute to their own retirement is totally reasonable. The role of legislators should be to wisely, ethically represent their constituents while in office, not to enrich themselves at the expense of their constituents. If they feel they need to make more money, let them do it before or after their tenure in office.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

by: Bill Orr @ Fri May 21, 2010 at 18:17:56 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Certainly... (0.00 / 0)

there's an argument to be made for a full time legislature...

But this bill is important to stop the shenanigans at the Local Finance Board, County Tax Boards, etc...

I know of at least two people on the Local Finance Board whose only purpose to being named to the board was the perpetuate pension credits they earned at high paying administration jobs...

IE. Susan Bass Levin and Jamie Foxx... it's no accident they're on that board, it's solely a move to rip off taxpayers...

(certainly, Bass Levin with a 250,000 port authority position can fund her own health care and/or retirement, and I think Mr. Foxx has a comprable income)

"Where ever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Bonzai

by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Fri May 21, 2010 at 18:59:22 PM UTC

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sure (0.00 / 0)

I don't disagree.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Fri May 21, 2010 at 22:41:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well said, hopeful (0.00 / 0)

The whole "part-time" legislature is a scam designed to rip-off the taxpayers. Make them full-time (with full time pay and benefits) and prohibit all moonlighting.

No more:

Yes, I do receive a salary courtesy of the [ * ], and as a legislator I do funnel millions of dollars to the [ * ], but I am shocked - shocked - that you would call that a conflict of interest.

* - insert:

School Board President
Superintendent of Schools
Mayor
County Executive
County Improvement Authority
My Law Firm
Corporation I work for
County Sheriff

etc.

P.S. William is right about the other boards.

There is nothing Democratic about a Machine.

by: Carl Bergmanson @ Fri May 21, 2010 at 21:10:15 PM UTC

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Reform in the wrong direction | 4 comments