State Rep. Lon Burnam is Told That He Can Double Dip
Just like Gov. Rick Perry, state Rep. Lon Burnam has been told he can start drawing a government pension right now, without leaving his job.
But Burnam said he has no plans to take the money.
Instead, the Fort Worth Democrat wants to stop the hidden perk reserved exclusively for elected officials, and he plans to file legislation that would require the Employees Retirement System to reveal which Texas politicians are collecting a government salary and a state pension at the same time.
“I think the public has a right to know who is double dipping. We only found out ...
Comments (16)
Carolyn F
More power to him. As an educator who has heard educators be called double dippers because they just wanted to be able to take their spouse's social security, it is really insulting to learn of this practice and that our own governor is participating.
I could draw my husband's ss if I never worked one day, but after 30 years in education I can't draw it unless I retire from a district that pays ss, and I have to work there for five years. VERY few districts in Texas pay social security, so this creates a dilemma for teachers all over the state.
So the hypocrisy of our legislature is once again stunning. We are also public servants!
MaryLou VandeRiet via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Perry has always had a "stench" about him !!!
Mike Snavely via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Anyone know the history of / rationale for the legality of the double dip?
Hannah Katz
Good for you, Representative Burnham. But be ready for some backlash from members of both parties.
Bill Mintz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I don't know where to start on this one. Is there no requirement for state officials to file financial disclosures? If so, will the governor be required to disclose his pension income? Meanwhile, I've always thought it was outrageous that legislators get judges' pensions. How in the world is that consistent with the constitutional limit on their salaries? Pensions have value, you know. Also, I linked back to the story on double-dipping -- paying for gasoline from the campaign and then collecting mileage from the state. Wouldn't one of those payments be considered income for tax purposes? While in the grand scheme of things the amounts are not large, the pettiness is breathtaking. Nobody forced these men and women to run for office, and they knew the pay was crummy.
Texas Supe
Typical Democrat. Trying to make a good man like Rick Perry look bad by doing the right thing with class and selflessness. Hasn't he heard Rick say, "If the money's there and I don't take it, I wouldn't be doing right by my family"? Lon Burnam hates his family. Rick Perry 2012!
Bambi Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook
They stopped it for teachers but not for themselves.
Stephen Pickard via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why are they always white men? Always!
K C
Thank you Lon for your integrity. You were my Representative until it was decided your district needed to be redrawn to cut supporters like me OUT of your district. I appreciate your dedication to trying to get the state of Texas to do the right thing.
namoyer
Dippidy doo dah, dippin' another day, my oh my to get this pay....
JC DemocratofTejas
So Employees Retirement System tells State politicians that they can double dip? Really! Yet the gov and Texas Lege are defunding everything for the citizens of Texas while they dictate monies spent on frivilous non-issues funded by taxpayers.
Bravo fellow Democrat Lon Burnam. I'm behind your legislation to stop these CORRUPT practices even if (in Texas) it's legal.
Let's not forget to thank goober rick, since he wasted tons on running for prez so unsuccessfully, yet had to disclose this well-kept secret from public scrutiny.
gypsy314 ne
Finial a honest man with sense.
Anyone BUT Obama and democrats!
Marlene Lobberecht via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Double standard. They stopped it for other state affiliated employees.
Bonnie McGuire
Looks like someone missed that Rep. Burnam was a democrat as well as an honest man.
Betty DuBose Hamilton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Representative Burnam has integrity. I can't say that about Perry.
tom brown
This feature was, as reported, implemented by LtGv Bob Bullock to paper his own pockets. He had so much power and influence he could have a law passed to benefit solely him - by including the rest of the leg in the goodie-bag. Unfortunately, it is legal. People who avail themselves of it are not doing anything illegal or unethical or immoral. If the perk is such a bad thing, the leg can easily cancel it out with a simple piece of legislation. Being a hired state employee and an elected state official are two different things and should be considered as such for compensation purposes.