Clean Sweep: TUA Defeats All 7 Tax-Increase Referenda

By on March 22, 2012   /   Illinois, Latest, News Releases, Pension Reform, Referenda, Taxpayer Alert  

View release as a PDF
CHICAGO–The president of Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today announced that “the organization, its members and supporters defeated the 7 tax-increase referenda yesterday.”
“It’s a great victory for Illinois taxpayers,” said Tobin. “The seven ballot measures are the largest number of tax-increase referenda we have opposed in a single election since 1982.” said Jim Tobin, TUA President. “To defeat seven out of seven is unprecedented, and shows taxpayers will stand up and fight when given honest information. Our members have defeated over 100 home rule referenda since 1980.”
“We defeated the attempt to con voters into accepting home-rule unlimited-taxing-power referenda in Clarendon Hills, Itasca, Lynwood, Merrionette Park, Princeton and Prospect Heights.”

”We also stopped an attempt to force a $48.5 million property tax increase in Evanston-Skokie School District 65. Overall, we have defeated 193 property tax increase referenda since 1977.”
“Our staff distributed over 20,000 ‘Vote No!’ fliers in four of these communities. We mailed several thousand more fliers to our members and supporters. We worked closely with local taxpayer groups to effectively cover all precincts.”
The “Vote No” fliers included the names and paid-out amounts for the salaries and pensions of the highest-paid employees and pensioners, to let voters know that 80% of their local tax dollars go to pay the salaries and benefits of their local government employees.”
“Clarendon Hills’ Fire Chief, Brian Leahy, for example, pulled in a gross salary (2010) of $199,128 a year. More than 10 police pensions are over $30,000 a year. Former Police Chief, Thomas Reasoner, receives a whopping $65,000 a year pension while at the same time getting paid for a Deputy Director position at the North East Multi-Regional Training Center.
“Nine retired government-employees in Itasca have annual pensions of over $50,000 a year.”
“Now, we need to throw all Springfield Democrats out of office in the November 6th general election, so we can kill the four-year, 67% income tax hike that they’d like to make permanent!”
View images from TUA’s canvassing efforts below, along with the fliers:

Back to Top

Peek-A-Boo, Kansas Gov't Pensions-We See You!

By on February 29, 2012   /   Kansas, Latest, News Releases, Pension Reform  

Click here to view as a  PDF

KANSAS – Taxpayers United of America has released the top pension estimates for Kansas government teachers and employees. “We are shedding light at last, on the problems with Kansas’ government pension system,” said Christina Tobin, Vice President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA), and founder and President of Free and Equal Elections. “Minimal reform has occurred in Kansas as legislators consider measures that do little to actually solve the problem. Much more pressure is needed from taxpayers,” she said.
“Kansas’ government pension system desperately needs reform.  Releasing the specific names and pension amounts would show who’s really benefitting,” said Tobin. “But Kansas refuses to release actual individual pension payments and that really raises questions when estimates range to nearly $8 million. So, why won’t the Governor let Kansans see the facts?”
“There is no fair representation of taxpayers. This is a nationwide problem that burdens the Left and Right alike, and has fueled the financial crisis facing taxpayers and retirees. The urgency of this crisis is illustrated by the extensive press coverage that our government pension reports have received throughout Kansas.”
Tobin, who toured through Kansas towns revealing top government pension estimates to the public, received coverage from  KSN News Wichita, KWCH 12 Eyewitness News, Salina Journal News, KSALLink.com, Wichita Business Journal, Kansas City Business Journal, and Fox 4 Kansas City.
TUA will be exploring all options to get the information still being withheld by the government bureaucrats of Kansas, released. “I have written letters to Governor Brownback and the members of the Kansas Legislature, asking for transparency.  As long as taxpayers feel the pain of the hefty bill for these pensions, those payments should be available for public review.”  Tobin plans to work with legislators but does not exclude the possibility of filing a lawsuit to obtain the information.
TUA will be revealing more States’ pensions across the nation, including those of Pennsylvania, New York, and Arizona in the coming weeks.

Back to Top

Government Hides Wichita Pensions?

By on February 23, 2012   /   Kansas, Latest, News Releases, Pension Reform  

WICHITA—Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today revealed government wages and pension estimates for Wichita and Sedgwick County.  Kansas government employees are not only receiving generous salaries, but when retired, many will become pension millionaires. Kansas officials refused to release pension figures, so the pension payouts are close estimates* for this report.
“What are Kansas lawmakers hiding?  Are they more concerned with protecting abusers, than reforming a system that holds taxpayers hostage?” asked Christina Tobin, TUA Vice President.  “The public, who voted them into office, have a right to know how their tax dollars are spent!”
“I have hand delivered letters to Gov. Brownback and each member of the Kansas Legislature, asking for transparency regarding individual pension amounts, as well as meaningful pension reforms that will be both fair and sustainable.”
“Private sector taxpayers are struggling in the ‘Great Recession,’ with an average income of $42,000.  The unemployment/underemployment rate (U6) is 15.1%.  The maximum Social Security annual payout is $22,000, regardless of how much one may have earned in their working career.”
Click the links below to view the estimated pensions and the letter to the governor and legislature.

(Click here to read the entire article…) →

Back to Top