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Ohio newspapers say public pension reforms proposals risky, political

Nov. 24, 2003 (updated Dec. 1, 2003) - OCSEA leaders—along with Ohio AFSCME affiliates, Council 8 and OAPSE Local 4—oppose several measures contained in current public pension reforms proposals. And, Ohio's major newspapers agree.

Read on for more details or choose an action to take now.

Ohio’s newspapers recently spotlighted the political games being played with the retirement systems reforms:

“Forces within the Statehouse in Columbus are conspiring in an unprecedented power grab that would result in the unnecessary and unwise introduction of partisan politics into Ohio's five public-employee pension funds.”
- Toledo Blade, 12/1/03

“Shenanigans could quickly become commonplace in the treasurer's office if the legislation is enacted.”
- Toledo Blade, 12/1/03

“That's too much authority for one person and too open an invitation for political manipulation.”
- Toledo Blade, 12/1/03

“The last thing [retirees] deserve is to have one more set of hands reaching into their pockets for profits.”
- Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/19/03   full story

“The shame of this blatant stunt is that it taints measures that are otherwise positive and responsible.”
- Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/19/03   full story

“The [state] treasurer is already the target of political pressure because of his handling of state funds. This move would increase the pressures and temptations to misuse the authority.”
- Columbus Dispatch, 11/19/03   full story

“Keeping the pension funds as free of political influence as possible is an investment in their soundness. Just ask Connecticut where the former state Treasurer Paul J. Silvester awaits sentencing after being convicted of using his authority over the state’s $20 billion pension system to generate millions of dollars of kickbacks and campaign contributions.”
- Columbus Dispatch, 11/19/03    full story

“This is a terrible idea. It would consolidate too much power in one person’s hands. It would not increase accountability… By robbing the elected boards of their authority, it would lessen accountability.”
- Canton Repository, 11/17/03

“The ‘Buy Ohio’ scheme smacks of pay-to-play, lawmakers cornering yet another source of campaign cash.”
- Akron Beacon Journal, 11/16/03

“Ohio’s political leaders have long since learned how to shake down the money trees for campaign contributions… These changes would raise the stakes for Ohio-based firms, giving them even greater incentives to suck up to the politicians, while reducing the range of choices open to the professional pension fund managers.”
- Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/20/03    FULL STORY

“Insist on a [pension] reform bill that only fixes what’s broken.”
- Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/20/03   FULL STORY

Take Action Now

• Get Informed - Learn more about how current reforms proposals could impact your public pension security. FULL STORY
  
  
• Contact Legislators - Use OCSEA's new E-Action Center to compose and send an email or letter to your legislator.
  
  
• Share Information - Download Pension Reforms Flyer.pdf to share with your friends, family, and co-workers.
  
• Tell-A-Friend - Forward this page link to a friend

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