Posted on 12/16/2011 9:58:43 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Yes, he’s still governor. He’s “retired” only for benefits purposes, which means he can start collecting his pension while he’s still collecting a salary. It’s perfectly legal. Just … unhelpful.
Perry makes a $150,000 annual gross salary as Texas govenor. Now, thanks to his early retirement, Perry, 61, gets a monthly retirement annuity of $7,698 before taxes, or $6,588 net. That raises his gross annual salary to more than $240,000…
[T]he disclosure is sure to spark criticism of Perry, who has called for sweeping changes to Social Security for average workers and has railed against special “perks” that members of Congress get.
“Perry was legally able to begin collecting the employee class annuity under the ‘rule of 80.’ The combination of his U.S. military service, state service and age exceeded 80 years and qualifies him for the annuity under Texas Government Code 813.503 as amended in 1991,” Sullivan said. “Perry continues to pay into the Employees Retirement System with a 6.5 percent withholding from his state salary.”…
“I do advocate totally rethinking the safety net, personal security programs completely,” Perry said in a November 2010 interview. “Why is the government collecting your tax money for retirement and health care programs? That’s not a stated constitutional role.”
He “retired” back in January, months before he decided to run for president. Had he known he was going to jump in and take withering fire from Romney on his entitlements rhetoric, I assume he’d have waited to start collecting. But it is what it is, and it’ll be thrown in his face every time the subject of Medicare or Social Security reform comes up. I don’t blame him for his logic: He paid in, he worked hard, he followed the rules, and now he wants his money. Problem is, that’s the same attitude seniors take towards federal entitlements, and if Perry beats Obama, he’ll suddenly be the guy tasked with convincing them to relax that attitude a bit in the name of our common fiscal good. How does he rally them to take one for the team and wait until, say, age 68 to enroll in Medicare if he couldn’t wait until finishing his term as governor to start taking his own pension? When I tweeted that a few hours ago, Perry fans jumped on me by answering that Democrats will smear him and attack the GOP viciously no matter what. Which is true, but how does that mitigate the potential damage here? An enemy armed with artillery is more dangerous than an enemy armed only with rifles, and this represents a bit of artillery for them insofar as they’ll use it to try to galvanize resentment against Perry’s supposed hypocrisy. Why do you think Gingrich couldn’t resist digging at Romney’s track record at Bain? Voters remember details to which they can relate personally, like pensions and layoffs. It’s not a liability that’ll sink Perry, but yeah, it’ll be used against him. Texas Democrats are already using it, in fact.
Exit question via Ace’s co-blogger Drew: “You think Chis Chistie might show up at a few events to talk about Perry’s pensions?”
(VIDEO AT LINK)
I still prefer Perry Krishna.
Yes, that one's funny.
What a double dipping slacker /s
Amen
Your envy is much bigger.
So is the foot stuck in your mouth.
Lol!
Sounds like thrifty use of uniforms to me.
Yeah, what’s the big deal? He turned 61 and the law kicked in. Besides, he earned it.
If he has any brass ones he will defend himself against those attacks, instead of apologizing and dropping out the way republicans without backbone usually do.
Perry, however, should stress about it.
Why?
He wants to be President. That is why!
Texas is not Bankrupt.
We are thriving.
‘NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Texas lawmakers unveiled a Spartan budget late Tuesday night that slashes $31 billion in spending to close the state’s massive budget deficit. Education, Medicaid and corrections would be hit particularly hard.
House legislators were forced to rely on spending cuts to close the shortfall — estimated at between $15 billion and $27 billion —’ oops!
http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/19/news/economy/texas_budget_deficit/index.htm
Perry WAS a contender until he opened up his yap and his oratorical skills failed to impress. This is shallow and stupid but those are the times in which we live.
He is done. He will not be President.He will not last past South Carolina if he lasts that long. I think it is a shame.
It is unfortunate that a person of great character and long service such that Perry has was not gifted the skills needed to do well in a phony debate setting, but such is life.
We are on track to add 1.6 billion to the rainy day fund which is already at 9.4 billion dollars.
Hows Illinois doing?
Last time I was there 3 years ago the place was a wreck, I don’t think I traveled 2 miles of un****ed up pavement in the state, and I got tolled every 5 mi for the privileged of it.
The roads in Indiana and Wisconsin were beautiful and had no tolls.
I think it is a shame that the electorate are fools.
Heard that Perry had wanted to be a Veternarian. . .did not have the grades. ‘Public Service’ OTOH; not a problem. . .and of course, lucrative. . .
Yeah, he failed organic chemistry. So what?
Newt failed 3 marriages.
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.