Union leaders tried to line their own pockets
Posted by Scott Dilley - May 22, 2008Thanks to reporting by Joe Turner at the Tacoma News Tribune, the public now knows that Randy Dorn, the executive director of Public School Employees union and candidate for state education superintendent, tried to get the legislature to pad his retirement by more than $90,000 a year -- some $600,000 in additional total retirement benefits.
HB 1067 would have allowed Dorn and PSE lobbyist Tom Lopp to transfer from the Teachers Retirement System to the more lucrative Public Employees' Retirement System. (For background on the different retirement systems and HB 1067, read the House Bill Report.) The House passed the bill in 2007, but it then stalled in the Senate.
The bill might have applied to certain future employees, but the only known people it would have affected immediately were Dorn and Lopp.
So two high-paid union officials asked the legislature to make them richer, at the expense of the state retirement system and the employees who paid into that part of the system. And Dorn and Lopp's request was for themselves, not for the rank-and-file members of the Public School Employees union.
Imagine that -- union leaders working with the legislature to achieve their own goals, while leaving rank-and-file union members out in the cold.
Stories like this one remind us of the need for increased transparency of public-sector union finances and activities. Union members, taxpayers, and state employee retirees shouldn't be kept in the dark while union leaders work to pad their own pensions.
Thoughts? Add Comment -
mike said on May 22 2008 at 2:35pm
mike said on May 22 2008 at 2:35pm
“The only reason I’m doing this is for the kids,” he said.
At least he's on message.
Jones said on May 22 2008 at 3:17pm
I am fairly certain that in this state, as long as you say, "it's for the kids," you are redeemed.
"Yes, officer, I did buy crack from that undercover officer because I didn't want him selling it to school children. It's for the kids." Redeemed.
Sounds sort of like that judicial candidate that was charged with a DUI for driving home intoxicated after a children's charity event. Elected.
David Blomstrom said on May 24 2008 at 1:36pm
Wow, the SPI campaign seems to be self-destructing, doesn't it? The media and their three favored candidates have been focusing on the WASL and corrupt teachers union, leaving me to discuss all the issues they ignore.
Then it's revealed that Randy Dorn tried to influence the legislature to pad his retirement account. Yeah, that's just the kind of guy we need looking out after children. Sheez, does this clown even have a campaign website?
Just two days later, we learn that Rich Semler has dropped out of the race.
A series of coincidences or some sort of conspiracy? You can read my initial thoughts at http://2008.seattle-mafia.org/News/May_24/
Check back again, as I'll be adding more details to that page.
David Blomstrom
The SPI candidate who discusses the issues and has a track record...
Ryan is Voting for Santa for OSPI said on May 25 2008 at 4:02pm
....and then there's David Blomstrom, who self-destructed years ago.
There are no good candidates in this race.
Debbie Terry said on May 25 2008 at 8:12pm
Scott I really like your blogs because they explain a lot in a few words. That is why I am sending a copy of it to school on Tuesday with my child to her teacher. I should be sending a copy for her to hand out to each of her school mates -- just like valentines. Maybe I will. Just imagine the impact if everyone sent out end-of-school "valentines" to our children's classmate parents. What a way to get the message out.
No good candidates? said on May 26 2008 at 4:02pm
"There are no good candidates in this race."
What a clueless, if not stupid, thing to say.
There's at least ONE candidate who's discussing important issues, more important even than the WASL. There's one candidate who isn't assocaited with corrupt teachers unions. And that's just for starters.
Dpn't let all the corporate pimps tell you this race is a lost cause, boring or insignificant. It actually ranks as one of the more important state races, and it could get quite exciting.
What am I talking about? Visit my campaign website at http://2008.seattle-mafia.org/.