Columbus—Taxpayers United of America (TUA) revealed government employee wages and pension estimates for Columbus, Fairfield, Delaware and Franklin Counties, and OSU. Ohio’s government employees are not only receiving generous salaries, but when retired, many will become pension millionaires. Ohio officials refused to release pension figures, so the pension payouts are close estimates* for this report.
“Why are Ohio lawmakers hiding their pension information? Are they more concerned with protecting abusers, than reforming a system that holds taxpayers hostage?” asked Christina Tobin, TUA Vice President.
“Columbus area taxpayers are struggling with average wages of $41,000 to $48,000, and perhaps someday Social Security… they hope! Ohio Government employees get up to 31 years of retirement benefits. But the maximum Social Security annual benefit is $22,000, regardless of how much someone earned in a career.”
“Columbus Police Deputy Chief John M.Rockwell can look forward to an estimated lifetime pension payout of $10,030,018, that is $213,405 annually, based on his current gross of $296,395.”*
“Columbus government teacher Doris Ridgeway had annual gross wages of $105,719 and looks forward to an estimated annual pension starting at $69,775 with an estimated lifetime payout of $3,628,287.”*
“Ohio government employee Zinovi Goubar had annual gross wages of $325,700. Goubar will enjoy $7,738,637 in estimated lifetime pension payouts. That’s at least $214,962 annually.”*
“Franklin County government employee Jed Morrison grossed $227,330 annually. He stands to receive an estimated beginning pension of $178,454, with a lifetime estimated pension payout of $6,424,356.”*
“Each of the top 100 pension estimates of Ohio State University employees reaches the maximum estimated pension payout of $214,500 annually for an estimated lifetime total of $7,722,000!”*
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February 7, 2012: Judge Rita Novak, of the Cook County Circuit Court, will hear arguments to roll back the 90 percent January 1st toll tax increase, and end the tollway system in Illinois.
In its amended complaint, Taxpayers United of America, (“TUA”), claims the Tollway Authority violated several statuatory requirements. If the court agrees, it could order the Tollway Authority to abandon its fifteen-year, $12 billion capital plan.
The February 7th hearing challenges the doubling of tolls for cash users, and seeks permission to proceed as a class action on behalf of all tollway users.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is representing the Tollway. She has asked the court to throw out Tobin’s case in its entirety.
The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2402 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602.
CHICAGO–The President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today condemned the Civic Federation’s recommendation that the state tax on a pack of cigarettes be raised $1-a-pack. “Not only would such a huge tax increase be counterproductive, but this high regressive tax would drive many small stores out of business, especially minority businesses that are barely surviving in this recession,” said Jim Tobin, TUA President.
“Illinois’ state tax on cigarettes was increased from 58 cents-a-pack to 98 cents-a-pack in 2002. An even larger tax increase is the last thing Illinois needs now.”
“Most tax increases on tobacco have actually resulted in decreasing rather than increasing revenues, as smokers travel to municipalities with lower taxes, or buy cigarettes on the black market,” said Tobin.
“Rising cigarette taxes also have been accompanies by a sharp increase in illegal trafficking of contraband cigarettes. Low-income people who smoke have gotten poorer as criminals engaging in cigarette smuggling have gotten richer.”
“The recommended tax increase per pack will result in such a high tax burden in Cook County and Chicago that it will drive sales to neighboring municipalities in Northeastern Illinois.”
“Of the 57 state excise tax increases between FY 2003 and FY 2007, only 16 met or exceeded projected revenues. In the other instances, states fell short of projections by as much as 181 percent.”
“The state should slash its out-of-control spending and cut taxes, not raise them,” said Tobin.
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