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Today's Poll: Should teacher pensions be public record?

By Howard B. Owens
Jack Dorf

100% yes. I am not in favor of personal info being made public. I only believe that the dollar figure that relates to payroll and pensions should be made public. Anything that is paid for with tax dollars should be 100% transparent.

Feb 22, 2013, 9:50am Permalink
Mike Weaver

So, we are supposed to keep public employee info private but privaye citizens info is public unless they opt out? (handgun permits) Yeah. that makes sense.

For the record, I think the data on teachers pensions should be a matter of public record as long as personal identifying info is left out.

Feb 22, 2013, 9:21am Permalink
david spaulding

not only should it be public information, it should be taxed too, just like mine..i believe every public employee should be drug tested too, just like i have to in order to work..

Feb 22, 2013, 12:42pm Permalink
Keith Boardman

David - since we are being equitable, I'm also assuming that you would support ALL employees everywhere to have a Masters degree in order to continue employment, just like teachers have to in order to work.

Feb 22, 2013, 2:53pm Permalink
Keith Boardman

So because they receive salaries based on taxes, they should be forced to have the same job requirements that non-public employees do? But the inverse is somehow not acceptable? Since when did we decide that those who have chosen public service as employment should be punished? Seems like sour grapes rather than reasoned thought. And for the record, that Master's degree that I had to get "in order to work" set me back about $30,000.

And yes, salaries and even retirement information should be made available to the public when we are talking about public employees.

Feb 22, 2013, 4:14pm Permalink
david spaulding

yes keith,since my tax dollars are paying their salary,i do believe i should have some kind of say in the requirements of their employment....i work in private sector,i have rules and laws i have to obey in order to keep my employment.. i do not think it is unfair for a public employee to have to obey the same standards that i am forced to abide by....
nothing personal keith..i'm out here all by myself,no union, no lawyer, just trying to accept the double standards our government has inflicted on me.....sour grapes? damn right it is.....

Feb 22, 2013, 4:56pm Permalink
Keith Boardman

I have zero doubt you could have one, but it's not required for your employment. That's the point. That's not a double standard inflicted on teachers? We all have rules and laws we have to abide by, and most of us chose our professions, meaning we also chose the requirements that go along with it.

And for the record, any private sector company that gets a tax break from NYS is being supplemented with my tax dollars. You want to make it fair, lets make it fair both ways.

Feb 22, 2013, 5:28pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

I finally got around to reading the article Howard linked to. Can anyone tell me what the purpose would be for making the names and addresses of retired teachers public? I think the financial amount data should be available, but not the names attached to those numbers.

Feb 23, 2013, 11:49am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

As a federal employee my pay records are open for the public to see. Since, like it is mention before teacher's pay is from U.S. Taxpayers and they have a "Right" to know what each teacher is receiving. For those who voted "No", why do the taxpayers not deserve to know what teachers are receiving? Corruption happens everywhere.

Curious, those who voted no. Would you vote the same for gun owners' information to be release?

I do know this, no one's private address should be given out. This FOIL form I had to fill out and return to the County Clerk's Office is backwards in my eyes. I believe one should have the right to say "yes or no" to allow their information to be public record.

Local, State, and Federal Employees should be afforded some privacy but, information about their pensions, pay, bonuses and any information that effects the public should be open. Business addresses are find to be release but, private homes "No."

Feb 23, 2013, 9:51pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Hello David, FYI, I work for the federal government. I have rules to follow, laws to obey and I get drug screen as well. I am not part of a bargaining union since, I am management. My salary is on average with local law enforcement. NYS Police receive a bigger salary and better pension. Not all government jobs are top dollar jobs and require a "Master's Degree."

Feb 24, 2013, 11:59am Permalink

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