Oxendine Statement on Disclosure of State Pensions

Insider Advantage writer Dick Pettys reports that according to ERS, it no longer is possible for the taxpayers of Georgia to find out a full disclosure on state pensions. This means that taxpayers cannot discover which pensioner is getting what from state government.



Mr. Pettys reminds us that state employees, while on active duty, have their salaries easily accessible for all to see. But when a taxpayer-funded employee retires, their pension information is protected from their bosses, the taxpayers of Georgia.

Mr. Pettys reports state law was changed during the 1997 session of the Legislature, when Democrats still were in control of both chambers.



O.C.G.A. 47-1-14(b) “…the following records maintained by a retirement system are exempted from being open to inspection by the general public:…(4) any business, financial, or personal information in the possession of such retirement system concerning a party other than such retirement system."



I want to congratulate WGCL (TV 46) reporter Wendy Saltzman and the station’s owner, Meredith Corp, for their initial work on this matter. I also congratulate Dick Pettys for his work on this issue too.



Let me be perfectly clear on this issue. If it is in fact true that ERS is refusing to release this information based on any interpretation of any state law, that will change in January, 2011. Should I become Governor, I will direct my legal counsel in the first days of an Oxendine Administration to meet with the heads of every Georgia retirement system and the Attorney General.



If I receive confirmation that these reports are true, I will direct my Administration Floor Leaders to immediately introduce legislation to reverse this outrageous policy and practice.



Every state employee needs to understand that all of us, including me, are employees of the taxpayers of Georgia. They are our bosses and they have every right to know about our compensation. Period.



I call on Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Cagle, and Speaker Richardson to act prior to 2011 and move legislation early in the 2010 Session to address these allegations and provide facts to the taxpayers that they remain in charge of their state employees.

John Oxendine
Governor 2010

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Video: PTC Mayor Harold Logdson Announcing Candidacy for Georgia Insurance Commissioner

5/3/09 Mayor Harold Logsdon, Peachtree City, announced his candidacy for State Insurance Commissioner at the Fayette County Republican First Saturday Breakfast yesterday. The Breakfast is held each month at IHOP in Fayetteville. City Councilman Don Haddix had previously announced he would be running for Peachtree City Mayor. Shelby Barker is running for the seat being vacated by Haddix. To find out more about state races visit Georgia Front Page. We will be following local races on the Fayette Front Page. Senator Eric Johnson, a candidate for Governor, and State GOP Chair Sue Everhart also spoke at the breakfast. We will be posting videos of both talks on the Georgia Front Page.

GEORGIA SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE ERIC JOHNSON ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

RC Note: Johnson had been a Fred Thompson supporter. Thompson is rumored to be getting out of the Presidential race after disappointing results in South Carolina.

Today, Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson announced that he is endorsing Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States. As the highest-ranking Republican in the Georgia Senate, Senator Johnson will help lead the Romney for President team in Georgia.
Making today's announcement, Senate President Pro Tempore Johnson issued the following statement:

"I believe that Mitt Romney is the most qualified person to address America's role in the global economy and to address the downsizing of Washington's expensive bureaucracy. We need less government and more jobs. We need someone who can talk international trade and terrorism as well as discuss monetary values as confidently as America's moral values. Governor Romney can lead America into the complex environment of the 21st Century.

"While I believed that Senator Fred Thompson offered Republicans a pro-business/pro-family agenda, it is now clear that he can no longer win the GOP nomination. As a leader of Georgia's conservative Republican majority, I want to encourage Republicans to support a man who has proven that he can govern in a 'blue state', has strong personal family values, and knows how to run a business and a state. He even proved he can run the Olympics. That's a resume we need to beat Obama or Clinton II.

"Our nominee must be able to win in November. Our quality of life and our national security depend on it."

Welcoming Senator Johnson's support, Governor Romney said, "It is an honor that President Pro Tempore Johnson would endorse my campaign for change in Washington. As a leader in the Georgia State Senate, he has been dedicated to helping small business, preparing our children for tomorrow's challenges and protecting public safety. I look forward to working with Senator Johnson as we approach the Georgia primary."

Senate President Pro Tempore Johnson joins U.S. Congressmen Tom Price, Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston, House Speaker Pro Tempore Mark Burkhalter and many of their colleagues from the Georgia General Assembly in supporting Governor Romney.

Background On Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson:

As Senate President Pro Tempore, Senator Johnson Is The Highest Ranking Republican In The Georgia State Senate. Senator Johnson represents Georgia's First Senate District and as Senate President Pro Tempore, helps run the day-to-day operations of the legislative body. Prior to 2003, he served two terms as the Minority Leader in the Senate. Senator Johnson also served one term in Georgia's House of Representatives before his election to the Senate in 1994. Outside of the Georgia General Assembly, Senator Johnson is an architect and works at North Point Industrial, a commercial and industrial development firm in Savannah, Georgia. He is married and has two children.