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The joke’s on you, or so it seems when you read news developments like these that can pinch your pride, your wallet and possibly your sense of fairness.
• Ex-Gov. Tom Corbett, who formerly championed changes to Pennsylvania’s pension system, recently began collecting benefits from the setup that’s available to state employees. The Tribune-Review reported that Corbett pocketed a lump-sum payment, based on his contributions and a healthy 4 percent interest, of about $118,000.
The 11-year state employee will receive a $38,765 annual pension, the Pittsburgh-area newspaper reported.
By comparison, the Census Bureau’s figures indicate Wilkes-Barre’s median household income stands at about $31,000.
While in the governor’s office, Corbett consistently declined raises and maintained a salary of $174,914. But his pension calculations are based on a final average salary of $186,000, which reflects the yearly cost-of-living raises for which he was eligible.
Corbett is operating by the rules of the program. His predecessors, Gov. Ed Rendell and Gov. Tom Ridge, reportedly receive annual pension payments of $22,358 and $11,961, respectively.
Some lawmakers – much to their credit – decline to accept state pensions.
• Longtime menace to society, former jail escapee and convicted killer Hugo Selenski never took the stand at his double-homicide trial earlier this year, leaving his defense up to others. According to recent tabulations, the cost of that defense effort has topped $496,000.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, probably will turn in expenses of about $200,000.
The tab for taxpayers won’t stop there; Selenski next heads off to Harrisburg for trial on charges of witness intimidation. Taxpayers also will fund his lifetime stay in state prison. What a waste of human potential (victims and perpetrators) and financial resources.
• Harrisburg’s lawmakers voted in 2013 for a transportation package that increased fees for driver’s licenses and vanity plates, as well as certain traffic fines. Starting this year, the law also gives counties the option of collecting a $5 vehicle registration fee.
Three counties so far have seized on the opportunity, and Luzerne County Council’s members continue this spring to consider it. If approved, the collected fees would go toward fixing area roads and bridges.
Some council members object to the notion of creating yet another fee to pay for expenses previously covered under the county budget. (Think “levee maintenance fee.”)
Understandably, many taxpayers question when government leaders will stop this fee spree.
Rather than getting bitter about these or other public matters that might madden you, get involved. Attend government meetings. Speak out. Work for reforms. Vote. Demonstrate. Run for office.
When it comes to your money, don’t be anybody’s fool.