An interesting disclosure in the double-dipping debate

The New Mexico Independent discloses an interesting fact today in the debate over whether Gov. Bill Richardson should sign a bill designed to rein in what is called “double dipping” by public employees.

Some 13 employees at the AG’s office, including several high-ranking officials, are what are called “returning retirees” — those who earn an annual salary and draw a retirement pension at the same time.

The AG’s office says a bill that seeks to place severe restrictions on that — such as capping the salary returning retirees can make at $30,000 — may be unconstitutional. But, according to NMI, the AG’s office won’t tell the public why it thinks that about House Bill 616, sponsored by Rep. Luciano “Lucky” Varela, D-Santa Fe, citing attorney-client privilege between the AG and governor.

Interesting…

According to The Associated Press, 2,200 retirees have gone back to work in public jobs in New Mexico. That’s nine percent of those drawing state retirement.

The governor originally pledged to sign the bill but is now wavering, saying he wants to look at “constitutional” and “fairness” issues, according to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque.

AFSCME’s Carter Bundy, also a columnist for this site, was quoted by NMI as saying the 2004 law that allows the retirees to return to work and still earn a pension has been severely abused.

“For employers, it’s a great way to reward your friends, and if you’re a public employee, you’d be crazy to not take it. But the fact is that it jeopardizes the state retirement fund, along with other problems,” Bundy said. “… What we’ve created is a massive incentive for anyone who might have stayed on the job for 30 years or more to now retire at the earliest possible moment.”

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