Posted on 11/18/2010 11:31:02 PM PST by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
Newly elected state Rep. Tom Morrison raised some eyebrows Tuesday during freshmen legislators’ orientation in Springfield when presented with paperwork to join the General Assembly’s lucrative pension system.
That’s because he opted out a move officials can recall happening just once before.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” one administrator asked him.
The 35-year-old Palatine Republican, who succeeds six-term state Rep. Suzie Bassi in the 54th House District, realizes that forgoing his pension won’t make a dent in the state’s $13 billion deficit or $80 billion unfunded pension liability.
But Morrison says he’s a proponent of self-sacrifice and leadership by example, and he wasn’t willing to become a financial burden on a system he wants to overhaul.
“I want to demonstrate to voters and taxpayers that since cuts have to be made, I’m willing to step forward and make a personal cut,” said Morrison, a disaster cleanup franchise owner who defeated Democrat Matt Flamm earlier this month with 62 percent of the vote. “The dollar amount isn’t even a blip, but it’s the principle.”
(Excerpt) Read more at dailyherald.com ...
Now there’s a man of character even though it cost$ - turning down a lucrative perk. Strong principled people, much less politicians, are a rare breed.
An honorable man deserves our thanks.
He’s 35 years old and a “disaster cleanup” franchise owner. Maybe he should be running for president to replace the current one. He’s old enough and looks like he has the experience needed. :-)
Now there’s a man of character even though it cost$ - turning down a lucrative perk. Strong principled people, much less politicians, are a rare breed.
________________________________________________________
Amen! I’m impressed and grateful to him.
“He’s 35 years old and a “disaster cleanup” franchise owner. Maybe he should be running for president to replace the current one. He’s old enough and looks like he has the experience needed. :-)”
Yes, I loved the last phrase...”has the experience needed!”
LOL!
Actually he is a reality mathematician. He knows there will be no money left in the pension when he is old enough to qualify!
LOL!! I never thought of it that way! Still ‘good for him’ and you!
I’ve known Tom for about five years. I hope that, when State Senator Matt Murphy retires, Tom will run for the state senate.
*IL Politics Ping*
Whose Congressional District is he in? Does he live in one held by or bordering a vulnerable Demonrat?
No, Tom lives in Joe Walsh’s district.
My state rep is a rat who stole the election with every trick in the book. He called people at 2 AM pretending to be the GOP candidate and he still only won by under a thousand. (Suburban Cook County)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.