Comments on: Political appointees double dip–deep–into the state’s pockets http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets New Mexico news and politics Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: victorj1963 http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-30468 victorj1963 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 21:11:08 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-30468 The news media and public did not ask enough questions or find out enough details on all this return to work legislation. "Double Dippers" drew the ire of the public over a few sensational cases where an employee retired on a Friday and came back to work on a Monday in the same job. What wasn't reported is that PERA itself must approve THOSE contracts. PERA was complicit in the whole scheme and nobody seemed to catch on to that. Why didn't they deny the contracts? Do they ever deny any contracts that pass their desks? WHO at PERA is charged with approving contracts? THEN, when public outcry was heard, they conveniently said double dippers were hurting the fund. In public documents, PERA's general counsel, Susan Pittard, was noted as saying double dippers do not impact the fund. Of course they don't because the fund is subsidized by money being paid in for those RTW jobs, but never being paid to those employees on whose behalf those contributions are made. <br><br>Just recently, PERA announced that the fund has improved by 24%. There are still double dippers, so if they are the reason the fund is suffering, why the improvement. <br><br>During the legislature, PERA couldn't even give an accurate number of return to work employees. The number kept changing. This should be a big clue that someone needs to step in and AUDIT what's occurring over there. Something's not right inside and the public has a right to know what that is. The news media and public did not ask enough questions or find out enough details on all this return to work legislation. “Double Dippers” drew the ire of the public over a few sensational cases where an employee retired on a Friday and came back to work on a Monday in the same job. What wasn't reported is that PERA itself must approve THOSE contracts. PERA was complicit in the whole scheme and nobody seemed to catch on to that. Why didn't they deny the contracts? Do they ever deny any contracts that pass their desks? WHO at PERA is charged with approving contracts? THEN, when public outcry was heard, they conveniently said double dippers were hurting the fund. In public documents, PERA's general counsel, Susan Pittard, was noted as saying double dippers do not impact the fund. Of course they don't because the fund is subsidized by money being paid in for those RTW jobs, but never being paid to those employees on whose behalf those contributions are made.

Just recently, PERA announced that the fund has improved by 24%. There are still double dippers, so if they are the reason the fund is suffering, why the improvement.

During the legislature, PERA couldn't even give an accurate number of return to work employees. The number kept changing. This should be a big clue that someone needs to step in and AUDIT what's occurring over there. Something's not right inside and the public has a right to know what that is.

]]> By: iknow747 http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-22231 iknow747 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:49:13 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-22231 You are correct in that double dippers are not the problem with the fund. This is all smoke and mirrors for PERA's bad management and the market downturn. Look at PERA collateral. The past few letters from their director indicates the status of the fund is similar to what happened to it after 9-11 and the dot com drop. It did after each of those and currently is bouncing back. Not one time was there a mention of double dippers. I don't really understand how this legislation will help PERA. The EXACT SAME amount of money will go into the fund. The source of that money will just change, but the amount will be the same. So how does this make the fund itself more stable? Return to workers do not earn more retirement or service credit. Most of them fill positions that are critical and where there are not others who are willing or able to take the jobs. Further, I kept hearing the legislators say they couldn't make one group exempt and not others. However, they made themselves (elected officials) and their cronies/staff (legislative workers) exempt. Legislators also earn a retirement. I understand many of them are double dippers. Yet, I saw no provisions to mandate something for them to do to "help out" PERA. You are correct in that double dippers are not the problem with the fund. This is all smoke and mirrors for PERA's bad management and the market downturn. Look at PERA collateral. The past few letters from their director indicates the status of the fund is similar to what happened to it after 9-11 and the dot com drop. It did after each of those and currently is bouncing back. Not one time was there a mention of double dippers. I don't really understand how this legislation will help PERA. The EXACT SAME amount of money will go into the fund. The source of that money will just change, but the amount will be the same. So how does this make the fund itself more stable? Return to workers do not earn more retirement or service credit. Most of them fill positions that are critical and where there are not others who are willing or able to take the jobs. Further, I kept hearing the legislators say they couldn't make one group exempt and not others. However, they made themselves (elected officials) and their cronies/staff (legislative workers) exempt. Legislators also earn a retirement. I understand many of them are double dippers. Yet, I saw no provisions to mandate something for them to do to “help out” PERA.

]]> By: iknow747 http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-18285 iknow747 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:49:13 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-18285 You are correct in that double dippers are not the problem with the fund. This is all smoke and mirrors for PERA's bad management and the market downturn. Look at PERA collateral. The past few letters from their director indicates the status of the fund is similar to what happened to it after 9-11 and the dot com drop. It did after each of those and currently is bouncing back. Not one time was there a mention of double dippers. I don't really understand how this legislation will help PERA. The EXACT SAME amount of money will go into the fund. The source of that money will just change, but the amount will be the same. So how does this make the fund itself more stable? Return to workers do not earn more retirement or service credit. Most of them fill positions that are critical and where there are not others who are willing or able to take the jobs. Further, I kept hearing the legislators say they couldn't make one group exempt and not others. However, they made themselves (elected officials) and their cronies/staff (legislative workers) exempt. Legislators also earn a retirement. I understand many of them are double dippers. Yet, I saw no provisions to mandate something for them to do to "help out" PERA. You are correct in that double dippers are not the problem with the fund. This is all smoke and mirrors for PERA's bad management and the market downturn. Look at PERA collateral. The past few letters from their director indicates the status of the fund is similar to what happened to it after 9-11 and the dot com drop. It did after each of those and currently is bouncing back. Not one time was there a mention of double dippers. I don't really understand how this legislation will help PERA. The EXACT SAME amount of money will go into the fund. The source of that money will just change, but the amount will be the same. So how does this make the fund itself more stable? Return to workers do not earn more retirement or service credit. Most of them fill positions that are critical and where there are not others who are willing or able to take the jobs. Further, I kept hearing the legislators say they couldn't make one group exempt and not others. However, they made themselves (elected officials) and their cronies/staff (legislative workers) exempt. Legislators also earn a retirement. I understand many of them are double dippers. Yet, I saw no provisions to mandate something for them to do to “help out” PERA.

]]> By: iknow747 http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-17009 iknow747 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:49:13 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-17009 You are correct in that double dippers are not the problem with the fund. This is all smoke and mirrors for PERA's bad management and the market downturn. Look at PERA collateral. The past few letters from their director indicates the status of the fund is similar to what happened to it after 9-11 and the dot com drop. It did after each of those and currently is bouncing back. Not one time was there a mention of double dippers. I don't really understand how this legislation will help PERA. The EXACT SAME amount of money will go into the fund. The source of that money will just change, but the amount will be the same. So how does this make the fund itself more stable? Return to workers do not earn more retirement or service credit. Most of them fill positions that are critical and where there are not others who are willing or able to take the jobs. Further, I kept hearing the legislators say they couldn't make one group exempt and not others. However, they made themselves (elected officials) and their cronies/staff (legislative workers) exempt. Legislators also earn a retirement. I understand many of them are double dippers. Yet, I saw no provisions to mandate something for them to do to "help out" PERA. You are correct in that double dippers are not the problem with the fund. This is all smoke and mirrors for PERA's bad management and the market downturn. Look at PERA collateral. The past few letters from their director indicates the status of the fund is similar to what happened to it after 9-11 and the dot com drop. It did after each of those and currently is bouncing back. Not one time was there a mention of double dippers. I don't really understand how this legislation will help PERA. The EXACT SAME amount of money will go into the fund. The source of that money will just change, but the amount will be the same. So how does this make the fund itself more stable? Return to workers do not earn more retirement or service credit. Most of them fill positions that are critical and where there are not others who are willing or able to take the jobs. Further, I kept hearing the legislators say they couldn't make one group exempt and not others. However, they made themselves (elected officials) and their cronies/staff (legislative workers) exempt. Legislators also earn a retirement. I understand many of them are double dippers. Yet, I saw no provisions to mandate something for them to do to “help out” PERA.

]]> By: singl3wav3dav3 http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-16109 singl3wav3dav3 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:00:09 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-16109 Wow.<br>This whole argument is ethically, mathematically and intellectually challenged.<br><br>One: These people have earned this retirement check by FORCED CONTRIBUTION to PERA during a career in public service. Quit trying to welsh on your debts Mr. PERA. Ha! Let them collect it and live a little before they die and you keep it all... If they are fool enough to keep working in that zoo they are crazy and deserve two paychecks anyhow.<br><br>Two: The State would have to pay out close to the same amount of money more or less to send a PERA check to the retiree and pay the "new guy" to perform the job the retiree used to do. <br><br>Three. The State loses that may not be tangible itself, but hope (pray) that the effects of losing the experience on the job are not tangible to us all. Wow.
This whole argument is ethically, mathematically and intellectually challenged.

One: These people have earned this retirement check by FORCED CONTRIBUTION to PERA during a career in public service. Quit trying to welsh on your debts Mr. PERA. Ha! Let them collect it and live a little before they die and you keep it all… If they are fool enough to keep working in that zoo they are crazy and deserve two paychecks anyhow.

Two: The State would have to pay out close to the same amount of money more or less to send a PERA check to the retiree and pay the “new guy” to perform the job the retiree used to do.

Three. The State loses that may not be tangible itself, but hope (pray) that the effects of losing the experience on the job are not tangible to us all.

]]> By: furloughed http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-12748 furloughed Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:11:24 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-12748 Smoke screen. That is what the old time politicans do when their money train is threatened. Read the law. Per diem does not count, but you would spread incorrect information about the law to scare others. <br><br>I do agree with what you say about contracts. That is correct. That is why I say, NO EXEMPTIONS TO THIS LAW. New Mexicans are tired of this type of crap. We want government that works for us, not for themselves. Smoke screen. That is what the old time politicans do when their money train is threatened. Read the law. Per diem does not count, but you would spread incorrect information about the law to scare others.

I do agree with what you say about contracts. That is correct. That is why I say, NO EXEMPTIONS TO THIS LAW. New Mexicans are tired of this type of crap. We want government that works for us, not for themselves.

]]> By: furloughed http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-12747 furloughed Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:07:46 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-12747 I smell your drift. Wanting the same old politics and politicians in New Mexico. Well I hope the legislature and governor work it out the by the end of 2010 all double dippers are gone. You cost us $7,000,000 each year because we have to cover your retirement contributions. This is because double dippers are political and lobbied the legistlature to make this change.<br><br>I am certain there were other qualified people. Before double dipping we had fine people promoted that did good work. To listen to you one would think that we must always bring bad all these retired political people for their experience. Well finally the governor and legislature sees how wrong this is. <br><br>Hopefully this conversation in ends with the 2010 session. We are getting furloughed and I am sure layoffs are coming. The first to go should be those who can afford it because they have a pension to fall back on. Get rid of all double dippers! Save our jobs! I smell your drift. Wanting the same old politics and politicians in New Mexico. Well I hope the legislature and governor work it out the by the end of 2010 all double dippers are gone. You cost us $7,000,000 each year because we have to cover your retirement contributions. This is because double dippers are political and lobbied the legistlature to make this change.

I am certain there were other qualified people. Before double dipping we had fine people promoted that did good work. To listen to you one would think that we must always bring bad all these retired political people for their experience. Well finally the governor and legislature sees how wrong this is.

Hopefully this conversation in ends with the 2010 session. We are getting furloughed and I am sure layoffs are coming. The first to go should be those who can afford it because they have a pension to fall back on. Get rid of all double dippers! Save our jobs!

]]> By: YGBKM http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-12745 YGBKM Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:51:41 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-12745 Based on your logic, once an employee retires from a PERA agency (state, city, county, authorities, etc), the employee can not work for or contract with any PERA affiliate. If that is the case, Lucky Varela, Kiki Saavedra, Jerry Ortiz y Pino, and other PERA/ERA retirees should not be "working" as legislators and getting per diem etc. <br><br>As to the Johnson era, they were given "employee contracts" which was a workaround the Classified system and the Republicans could say that they did not increase the size of the workforce. Based on your logic, once an employee retires from a PERA agency (state, city, county, authorities, etc), the employee can not work for or contract with any PERA affiliate. If that is the case, Lucky Varela, Kiki Saavedra, Jerry Ortiz y Pino, and other PERA/ERA retirees should not be “working” as legislators and getting per diem etc.

As to the Johnson era, they were given “employee contracts” which was a workaround the Classified system and the Republicans could say that they did not increase the size of the workforce.

]]> By: YGBKM http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-12744 YGBKM Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:45:14 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-12744 furloughed,<br><br>Your drift is that you don't know the truth and you can't stand it when someone tells you the truth. Jim Baca was the best qualified for the Trustee position. Frances Ray provided invaluable experience to Chino and Sparrow that no other DOL/DWS employee had. Other DOL/DWS employees tried to help them but because of her personality, they trusted her where they did not trust others.<br><br>The pension losses were the result of the stock market not any double dippers. The budget crisis is not the result of double dippers but loss of revenues. Before you comment, you should be knowledgeable about the subject matter, if you get my drift. furloughed,

Your drift is that you don't know the truth and you can't stand it when someone tells you the truth. Jim Baca was the best qualified for the Trustee position. Frances Ray provided invaluable experience to Chino and Sparrow that no other DOL/DWS employee had. Other DOL/DWS employees tried to help them but because of her personality, they trusted her where they did not trust others.

The pension losses were the result of the stock market not any double dippers. The budget crisis is not the result of double dippers but loss of revenues. Before you comment, you should be knowledgeable about the subject matter, if you get my drift.

]]> By: furloughed http://newmexicoindependent.com/41728/political-appointees-double-dip-deep-into-the-states-pockets#comment-12716 furloughed Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:50:36 +0000 http://newmexicoindependent.com/?p=41728#comment-12716 Please excuse me while I hurl. This type of reasoning, they are just soooooo important, makes me sick. I work in state government and this is just BS.<br><br>Jim Baca is a politician............. That is why he got ASKED to come back. <br><br>Jeff Riggs was on the PERA Board when this law was enacted. He immediatley quit the PERA Board (non paid I think) and ran to ERB to double up.<br><br>Are you really trying to convince us that NOT ONE current employee could have assisted Chino and Sparrow?<br><br>Well I guess that answers it. We all need to drop to our knees and thank you know who for these double dippers who have sacrificed so much in coming back to save us. Oh yeah, did any of them have anything to do with the current budget crisis? The pay to play scandels? The pension losses? The ....... I think you get my drift. Please excuse me while I hurl. This type of reasoning, they are just soooooo important, makes me sick. I work in state government and this is just BS.

Jim Baca is a politician…………. That is why he got ASKED to come back.

Jeff Riggs was on the PERA Board when this law was enacted. He immediatley quit the PERA Board (non paid I think) and ran to ERB to double up.

Are you really trying to convince us that NOT ONE current employee could have assisted Chino and Sparrow?

Well I guess that answers it. We all need to drop to our knees and thank you know who for these double dippers who have sacrificed so much in coming back to save us. Oh yeah, did any of them have anything to do with the current budget crisis? The pay to play scandels? The pension losses? The ……. I think you get my drift.

]]>