Double dipping ban should apply to state lawmakers
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Recent reports of Ohio Republican Rep. Rex Damschroder's introduction of a statewide restriction of the popular practice known as "double dipping" brought mixed reviews on our website this week.
Double dipping refers to retired public employees who return to feed on even more taxpayers' dollars at the proverbial public trough. It's widely practiced in Ohio and other states that permit it. Not all do.
One of the first comments by "a taxpayer" was to the effect that "It's about time," followed by "as long as it applies to state lawmakers."
Of course, it doesn't. Or maybe it does? We've had some confusion on that issue.
Right up front, the legislation defines public employee as "Any person holding an office, not elective, under the state or any county, township, municipal corporation, park district, etc., etc. Therein lies the confusion and, one would hope, it will be remedied as the bill moves forward.
State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger was kind enough to look into this apparent confusion for The Highland County Press. Rep. Rosenberger spoke with Rep. Rex Damschroder Tuesday and shared with us that it is his (Damschroder's) intent that the legislation will apply to elected officials.
"In which case," Rep. Rosenberger said, "it has merit."
At first glance, it would seem hard to argue with this "ban" on double dipping. But as everyone in Ohio who follows such political gamesmanship already knows, Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder is among the grandest of the state's double dippers himself. Various reports put his public retirement compensation at $100,000 a year or more, in addition to his $94,500 salary. (Still not quite college president compensation, but he's getting there.)
According to an editorial in the Akron Beacon-Journal, "the bill would bar public employees, including elected officials, from collecting state pensions when they return to work after retirement."
However, other media point to the bill's language that defines public employee as "Any person holding an office, not elective,..." as providing a loophole for lawmakers.
Progress Ohio calls the bill "hypocrisy" for not including elected officials.
That label may be a bit disingenuous we've learned. The wording is meant to outline the present definition of public employee and point out that elected officials may opt out of the public employees retirement system.
“It’s just not right,” Damschroder told The Dayton Daily News of “double dipping. Retire means to stop working. That’s what a pension is for.”
Seems logical enough.
Damschroder also pointed out that the widespread practice of double dipping means that fewer jobs are available for other employees. No kidding.
I have asked Rep. Rosenberger, who represents Highland County in the 86th House District, about the bill. He said he has not had a chance to visit the bill, but will be watching it as it works through the committee process.
To give Cliff his due, once he gets around to reading the legislation, maybe he'll weigh in on the topic. I hope he does. A Statehouse column on the topic would be welcomed.
A few of us would like to know more about the bill before it becomes law. (If it ever does.)
Old newspaper editors like me still recall the days when state representatives and state senators wrote weekly columns to update their constituents on what's happening in Columbus. Cooper Snyder used to. So did Doug White. And many others. About the only southern Ohio lawmaker I can name who follows this tradition is John Carey.
For the record, The Highland County Press welcomes columns from Rep. Cliff Rosenberger and Sen. David Daniels. We've never refused to publish a column from either of them. Of course, we've rarely had the occasion for refusal.
Given the one-sided "leadership" in Columbus, coupled with the ongoing "schism" in the Grand Old Party between Gov. Kasich and Speaker Batchelder and party leaders Kevin DeWine and Kay Ayres – it sure would be interesting to know what our local elected officials thought about it all. That may be another issue for another day!
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.[[In-content Ad]]
Double dipping refers to retired public employees who return to feed on even more taxpayers' dollars at the proverbial public trough. It's widely practiced in Ohio and other states that permit it. Not all do.
One of the first comments by "a taxpayer" was to the effect that "It's about time," followed by "as long as it applies to state lawmakers."
Of course, it doesn't. Or maybe it does? We've had some confusion on that issue.
Right up front, the legislation defines public employee as "Any person holding an office, not elective, under the state or any county, township, municipal corporation, park district, etc., etc. Therein lies the confusion and, one would hope, it will be remedied as the bill moves forward.
State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger was kind enough to look into this apparent confusion for The Highland County Press. Rep. Rosenberger spoke with Rep. Rex Damschroder Tuesday and shared with us that it is his (Damschroder's) intent that the legislation will apply to elected officials.
"In which case," Rep. Rosenberger said, "it has merit."
At first glance, it would seem hard to argue with this "ban" on double dipping. But as everyone in Ohio who follows such political gamesmanship already knows, Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder is among the grandest of the state's double dippers himself. Various reports put his public retirement compensation at $100,000 a year or more, in addition to his $94,500 salary. (Still not quite college president compensation, but he's getting there.)
According to an editorial in the Akron Beacon-Journal, "the bill would bar public employees, including elected officials, from collecting state pensions when they return to work after retirement."
However, other media point to the bill's language that defines public employee as "Any person holding an office, not elective,..." as providing a loophole for lawmakers.
Progress Ohio calls the bill "hypocrisy" for not including elected officials.
That label may be a bit disingenuous we've learned. The wording is meant to outline the present definition of public employee and point out that elected officials may opt out of the public employees retirement system.
“It’s just not right,” Damschroder told The Dayton Daily News of “double dipping. Retire means to stop working. That’s what a pension is for.”
Seems logical enough.
Damschroder also pointed out that the widespread practice of double dipping means that fewer jobs are available for other employees. No kidding.
I have asked Rep. Rosenberger, who represents Highland County in the 86th House District, about the bill. He said he has not had a chance to visit the bill, but will be watching it as it works through the committee process.
To give Cliff his due, once he gets around to reading the legislation, maybe he'll weigh in on the topic. I hope he does. A Statehouse column on the topic would be welcomed.
A few of us would like to know more about the bill before it becomes law. (If it ever does.)
Old newspaper editors like me still recall the days when state representatives and state senators wrote weekly columns to update their constituents on what's happening in Columbus. Cooper Snyder used to. So did Doug White. And many others. About the only southern Ohio lawmaker I can name who follows this tradition is John Carey.
For the record, The Highland County Press welcomes columns from Rep. Cliff Rosenberger and Sen. David Daniels. We've never refused to publish a column from either of them. Of course, we've rarely had the occasion for refusal.
Given the one-sided "leadership" in Columbus, coupled with the ongoing "schism" in the Grand Old Party between Gov. Kasich and Speaker Batchelder and party leaders Kevin DeWine and Kay Ayres – it sure would be interesting to know what our local elected officials thought about it all. That may be another issue for another day!
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.[[In-content Ad]]