The state’s highest court has ruled that the names, but not the addresses, of retirees who receive public pensions must be disclosed according to New York’s Freedom of Information Law.
Kudos to the Empire Center for New York State Policy, which sought disclosure of pension beneficiaries from the retirement systems for state and New York City teachers. The 6-0 decision is “a big boost to the public’s right to know,” said E.J. McMahon, the center’s president. The Times Union supported the think tank in the case.
The case is less about privacy than transparency. When taxpayer dollars are spent, citizens deserve to know where they’re going.
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Comptroller warns of financial distress at the MTA, and the MTA goes on a hiring spree
According to Ken Girardin, a labor analyst at the right-leaning Empire Center for Public Policy, every new police officer will cost the MTA roughly $56,000, which means the new personnel would initially cost the MTA roughly $28 million a year.
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TOP SALARIES IN WESTCHESTER FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
One of the great government watchdogs in New York State is the Empire Center for Public Policy, led by EJ McMahon. The Empire Center recently came out with its annual report on overtime costs and the highest earning public servants in NYS. Read More
Genesee Community College president tops pay list in Finger Lakes
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Pensions New York taxpayers can’t afford
Another day, another shocking Empire Center revelation. Announcing the latest update to its SeeThroughNY database of New York public employee pensions, the watchdog flagged the city government retirees now scoring the highest pensions. Read More
These Dutchess City, Town Workers Are Among Highest Paid In Upstate NY
Citing data from the New York State and Local Retirement System based on regular, overtime pay and unused vacation time, Empire Center’s 2018 “ What They Make ” report determined which town, city, and village employees are getting paid the most. Read More
LIRR union chief blames OT on inadequate staffing levels, increased workload
“That’s one heck of an incentive,” said E.J. McMahon, research director for the Empire Center for Public Policy, the organization that publicized the MTA’s alarmingly high overtime rate in an April MTA payroll report. Read More
Fiscal Watchdog Wins Open Records Case
The Empire Center for Public Policy on Monday notched a victory in state court Monday after a judge found the names of retired New York City police officers who receive pensions are public records that must be released. Read More