High paying University System job and huge PERS increase reward for key vote?

AFP PERS Reform Ad Focuses on Politician Who Received Controversial Appointment to University System Job

Sublimity – With States across America reforming the way government employees are compensated, AFP-Oregon continued its ten-week television ad project to educate Oregonians about problems with the State’s Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) and to urge reform of the system during the 2011 Legislative Session. The series will highlight some of the public officials who have cost taxpayers millions in cost overruns on public projects or lawsuit settlements, or have been accused of self-dealing, and are now eligible for generous pensions – all financed by the hard-working families of Oregon. Viewers are encouraged to visit www.americansforprosperityoregon.com to learn more, and to contact their Legislators to demand reform of the troubled retirement system.

The fifth ad in this series, which began running this week, features former Community College Instructor and State Legislator Larry Galizio. Galizio was appointed to a job in the Oregon University System by former Governor Ted Kulongoski. The appointment “raised eyebrows” in Salem as it gave the appearance that Galizio had changed his vote on a bill to stop a resort on the Metolius River – a vote the Governor wanted – for his new position. Galizio had met repeatedly prior to the vote with the Governor’s Chief of Staff. After a brief time at OUS, Galizio was hired as President of Clatsop Community College, a job for which many believed he was unqualified. Ultimately, Galizio swapped his $20,000 per year Legislator’s position for the $125,000 per year plus benefits position at the small Community College on the Oregon Coast (at the link, see Page 115). Under Oregon law, Galizio’s 6 years in the Legislature will be credited as though he were paid at the $125,000 rate during that time.

“Taxpayers in our state are struggling under a growing burden from PERS,” noted AFP-Oregon State Director Jeff Kropf. “For too long, the Legislature and the Governor have failed to act to curb double-dipping and self-dealing. It’s time for strong action that will remove Legislators, the Governor and Oregon Judges from PERS, and require all government employees to pay at least 6 percent of their salaries into their ownretirement plans. Without these and other steps, PERS will continue to be an albatross around the neck of Oregon’s private sector.”

The AFP-Oregon ads are running in media markets across the State.

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