After reading Mark Lisheron's article, Pensions
of former Texas lawmakers can be kept secret: Judge, it has become
painfully obvious that we, as Americans, are losing our rights to information.
On February 5th, 2013, District Judge Lora Livingston ruled the state is no
longer obliged to inform the public how much money goes into pensions for
former members of the legislature. Normally, it is frowned upon to talk about
how much money we earn. Considering it is OUR taxpayer's money that is going
into these pensions, it now takes on a different view.
It's similar to writing a blank check for someone to paint your
house and being told they won’t have to tell you how much their services cost.
Why would lawmakers want to keep this information under wraps? My thoughts lean
in the same direction of the TJP director, Craig McDonald: "They're hiding
it because maybe we think the retirement might be too extravagant." Nailed
it. Granted, if I was making as much money per year as our lovely-locked former
Governor, I would probably want to keep it on the down low too. Governor Perry
received a state pension worth more than $92,000 ON TOP of his annual salary of
$150,000 in 2012. A government by the people and for the people should be
transparent to the people.
I recommend this article to all taxpayers
so they are more aware of the level of transparency dictated by our courts and
legislature. Once you are in any kind of governmental office, you've agreed
that the salary part is no longer private. It should be no different for
pensions. This is a democracy and we the people have rights to know where all
our hard earned money is going. V for Vendetta.
