June 6, 2012
Recently I published a comparison report on line and in a Letter to the Editor of the Commercial Appeal. This information brought forth the following email to various MLGW people.
Let me say up front that I think the MLGW management and employees do a good job. My research is intended to inform the taxpaying public of the comparison of certain statistics about pensions, health care costs and benefits of public versus private employees. This is a national issue as seen by the Wisconsin vote yesterday and by yesterday’s vote at the City Council.
My figures come from public information (pension, OPEB and CAFR reports) and also from information provided by open records requests. I also asked all parties to confirm my figures which some did and some did not. I will be glad to provide by figures if challenged and to correct any information found in error.
I believe firmly in open records and detailed analysis of the cost of government. We have to operate efficiently and to pay competitive salaries and benefits that are based on market conditions and do not vary greatly from salaries and benefits earned by the taxpaying public in the private sector.