Senate moves to end 'double dipping' by police

With support from police unions, a bill that would ban "double dipping" by police officers in a popular state retirement program was approved unanimously Thursday by a Senate committee. (story here)

Comments

Wow - I live in Northern Virginia and if the federal government ever did this, it would cripple the local economy here.

There is a high number of retired military that go to work for Boeing, Lockheed, Booz Allen, etc etc, who, in turn are contracted by the military.

They recieve their military pensions, and also recieve a paycheck from the companies doing business with the Pentagon.

Is that unethical? Sen. Baker is military and would understand exactly how this works.

so a Times staff writer puts into their story:

"The action comes on the heels of several St. Petersburg Times reports on double and triple dipping by elected officials and state employees who have found they can take home a salary and a retirement check."

A STAFF WRITER, not EDITORIAL, suggests that their own reporting has influenced a public policy decision, writes NOTHING about any opposition to this bill.

And that very same reporter is herself retired, draeing a pension and paycheck from the newspaper.

Lucy should be ashamed and the Times should be embarrassed for it's entire loss of credibility.

Thank you Lucy for always doing a great job in letting the people of the state know whats going on. These legislators need to be invesuigated. Almost all of them are making money off the system. They are not there doing public service they are getting fat off the process. Getting fat off the taxpayers dollars. Then they go and pass a bill that stops some state workers from double dipping when entered into the drop program. Investigate the money they make off fake jobs at universities and Boards they sit on. How about the charitable organizations they create then go to work for and get paid from the state budgets? Our tax dollars fund those community organizations. Please Lucy do a in depth investigation of the legislators who make money from the process. Alexander and the CSX 491 million givaway and his role in it. Investigate the potential for him to make money from that back door deal. Investigate them all.

Last I checked, Lucy was a staff writer, not on the editorial board. Leave the commentary for Gailey.

And at least have the balls to print a quote in opposition, before taking credit for your own stories having an effect on the decision.

Articles like this are an insult to real journalism

These senators and Representatives are so worried about their own pockets and who will be the next leader for the next 10 yrs, they don't have a clue what the people are demanding of them.
The infighting and cut throat activities continue in the Senate. Just heard that Gaetz was the one that ratted Lynn out about her triple dipping. This is what they do because one wants to top the other one when it comes to who is the best on education issues. This is happenning more and more and the real issues the state faces are not being addressed.

12:09 You must be someone who makes money off the process.

I really do not care who the author is. I just know that lucy investigates. That is what is very very much needed in our Florida Legislature. As a matter of fact the FBI should be investigating many of the activities that have been taking place.

no, I am someone who expects objectivity from journalists and editorials for columnists..call me old fashioned.

Let's reign in the absurd compensation given to fortune 500 execs, if you're so upset about this perfectly legal practice. Private sector = high pay. Public sector = low pay + benefits. Get over it.

no, I am someone who expects objectivity from journalists and editorials for columnists..call me old fashioned.

I also cannot comprehend why someone who has earned a pension cannot also earn a paycheck.

Both are the result of work, not a free ride, and both are going to be paid regardless of whether or not they're paid to one or 2 people.

Lucy NEVER mentions this FACT in her articles, and good journalism lists all facts to let the readers decide.

Didn't Gaetz and Sansom both work work Okaloosa Schools?

Don't they also get a paycheck from the Legislature?

Doesn't that make them doube-dippers?

12:18 Ever hear of conflict of interest? If you are a chair or have legislative influence, you should not be able to get paid from a entity that you have that power over. Raise the artificial salaries of legislators and if they really want to serve the public, then disallow them another governemnt salary. But don't allow them to keep up this conflict.

Gaetz is a great leader and knows more about education then Lynn will ever know. Lynn just got caught making deals with those she holds the purse strings over.

I heard the same thing last week about Gaetz telling
the media that Lynn had that contract. What the heck is going on? Who is next?

why won't fasano put an end to all the double (and triple) dipping?

Let's see the list of legislators on it.

Taxes to pay Legislator's Salaries - Taxes to pay legislator's other government salaries = Less Taxes and More Freedom

[Lee]

Gaetz is a great leader? Great leader, like when Scooby gets pushed in the room before Shaggy?

I bet Gaetz did give Lucy the story.

The only investigative reporting at the Times is the kind where an insider calls them up with a "scoop." The insider with the big tip off is the one that ought to be investigated. Instead of sniffing out a real story, the Times chases the bone thrown to them just like the dumb Doberman that is supposed to be guarding the gate.

Got to hand it to Gaetz. At least he keeps the Times busy enough long enough to miss the real story!

Call it fast food journalism.

Existing tax revenue - Republicans = Less handouts for Corporations + More Services for The People.

Didn't Gaetz and Sansom both work work Okaloosa Schools?

Don't they also get a paycheck from the Legislature?

Doesn't that make them doube-dippers?

Posted by: | March 28, 2008 at 12:19 PM

Hello!!! They did not retire from the school system, ergo, no retirement paycheck, no double dipping.

Fasano will never include the legislators who triple dip, because he thinks just doing it for the state workers is enough to use for his reelection. Its all for show. t will make a ni shiny caapign mailout.

Leave the police alone. They work for peanuts anyway. The legislature should be investigated. They use our tax dollars for thier own deals. Sometimes their big financial campaign contribtors get our dollars in back room deals and sometimes legislatos manage to make a lot of money off our hard earned tax dollars. Don't pick on the guys who get paid so little for risking their lives for us.