Former House Speaker John Perzel is currently awaiting trial for allegedly spending taxpayer money on campaigns. He's accused of misusing more than $10 million in tax dollars to get himself and his cronies elected and re-elected. In fact, "the grand jury found Perzel went to great lengths to maintain control and expand his power through illegal means", according to the 2009 press release from then-Attorney General Tom Corbett's office. Perzel is is currently receiving more than $7,100 per month in pension (over $85,000 per year) in addition to a lump-sum payment of more than $200,000 received after his November defeat at the polls. And he won't have to repay any of it even if he's convicted on all charges.
The Morning Call reports that Perzel opted for the payout after losing his re-election bid and would forfeit any future pension benefits if found guilty but would not have to repay any money received prior to his conviction. Props to the writer, the Call's John Micek, for reminding readers that Perzel is one of several veterans in Harrisburg whose pensions likely increased with the illegal pay raise of 2005 and also that Perzel did not reimburse taxpayers for the raise after it's repeal, as many other legislators chose to do in the wake of public outrage. Susquehanna Valley's WGAL lists the cahrges Perzel is facing (79 felony counts plus some misdemeanors) here.
It must be a relief to Perzel that sticking one's foot in one's mouth isn't a crime or else he'd be facing far more charges. Back in 2005, Perzel defended the pay raise by claiming that people milking cows in Lancaster County are earning $55,000 to a legislator's paltry $71,000. Cow milkers claim to top out at $30,000 even with overtime, according to this story from the Post-Gazette which helpfully details a few other of notable foibles: Unbelievably, Perzel one-upped his cow-milking gaffe by later claiming that tattoo artists in Philly earn more than state legislators; He also defended the pay raise by saying that legislators deserve it because some have such bad credit they can't even apply for credit cards.
Obviously, Perzel believes that simply being elected to the legislature increases one's value and their net worth should rise accordingly regardless of a rep's abilities, experience or performance. Most taxpayers likely disagree and believe Perzel has already received far more of our money than he ever earned. Now it's time to contact the current state legislators and demand the law be changed to prevent large lump-sum pension payouts to lawmakers awaiting trial on charges that would nullify their pension. Identify your state reps and contact them now.
The Morning Call reports that Perzel opted for the payout after losing his re-election bid and would forfeit any future pension benefits if found guilty but would not have to repay any money received prior to his conviction. Props to the writer, the Call's John Micek, for reminding readers that Perzel is one of several veterans in Harrisburg whose pensions likely increased with the illegal pay raise of 2005 and also that Perzel did not reimburse taxpayers for the raise after it's repeal, as many other legislators chose to do in the wake of public outrage. Susquehanna Valley's WGAL lists the cahrges Perzel is facing (79 felony counts plus some misdemeanors) here.
It must be a relief to Perzel that sticking one's foot in one's mouth isn't a crime or else he'd be facing far more charges. Back in 2005, Perzel defended the pay raise by claiming that people milking cows in Lancaster County are earning $55,000 to a legislator's paltry $71,000. Cow milkers claim to top out at $30,000 even with overtime, according to this story from the Post-Gazette which helpfully details a few other of notable foibles: Unbelievably, Perzel one-upped his cow-milking gaffe by later claiming that tattoo artists in Philly earn more than state legislators; He also defended the pay raise by saying that legislators deserve it because some have such bad credit they can't even apply for credit cards.
Obviously, Perzel believes that simply being elected to the legislature increases one's value and their net worth should rise accordingly regardless of a rep's abilities, experience or performance. Most taxpayers likely disagree and believe Perzel has already received far more of our money than he ever earned. Now it's time to contact the current state legislators and demand the law be changed to prevent large lump-sum pension payouts to lawmakers awaiting trial on charges that would nullify their pension. Identify your state reps and contact them now.
No comments:
Post a Comment