Lawmakers still padding own pockets

USA Today broke a story about state lawmakers drawing their pensions while they continue to “serve” us in the General Assembly.

Senator David Thomas was singled out in the front page story probably because his pension is three times a Senator’s salary.

But a follow up story published Tuesday, September 27th, by The State reveals that Senator Thomas is not alone.  Indeed, he has quite a bit of company.  Nineteen actively serving Senators are collecting their pensions.

That’s over 40% of our State Senate collecting their pension while they serve!  You can see the list below.

Let’s give them all what they deserve… retirement!

If you look at where these nineteen rank on the Palmetto Liberty Score Card, you can see that most rank pretty low.  We can do South Carolina a favor by serving them up with a nice retirement party!

To add insult to injury, lawmakers are currently considering adjustments to the state retirement system that would reduce benefits to state retirees.  Retirement system costs do need to be reduced because of the billions of dollars in unfunded liabilities in our state retirement system.

But do you think what they are considering would affect their ability to collect pensions before they actually retire?  No, it does not!

Here is the list of Senators as reported by The State that are collecting pensions.

Give them a call and let them know what you think!

And, if you can, chip in to Palmetto Liberty PAC.  We will be working hard to replace this guys!  A $10 donation will go a long way.  You can mail a check to PO Box 293, Lexington, SC 29071 or make a donation on line www.PalmettoLiberty.com.  Just click the Donate button.

Whether you donate or not, please contact your Senator if he is on the list and tell him what you think.

You can find who your Senator is by following this link and entering your zip code.

Ralph Anderson, D-Greenville

RalphAnderson@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6032

John Courson, R-Richland

JohnCourson@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6250

Dick Elliott, D-Horry

DickElliot@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6116

Mike Fair, R-Greenville

MikeFair@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6420

Robert Ford, D-Charleston

RobertFord@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6124

Wes Hayes, R-York

WesHayes@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6410

Senate Minority Leader John Land, D-Clarendon

JohnLand@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6180

Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence

HughLeatherman@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6640

Phil Leventis, D-Sumter

PhilLeventis@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6000

Larry Martin, R-Pickens

LarryMartin@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6340

John Matthews, D-Orangeburg

JohnMatthews@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6056

President Pro Temp Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston

GlennMcConnell@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6610

Yancey McGill, D-Williamsburg

YanceyMcGill@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6132

House Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee

HarveyPeeler@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6430

Glenn Reese, D-Spartanburg

GlenReese@scsentate.gov

(803) 212-6108

Mike Rose, R-Dorchester

MikeRose@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6056

John Scott, D-Richland

JohnScott@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6048

Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington

NikkiSetzler@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6140

David Thomas, R-Greenville

DavidThomas@scsenate.gov

(803) 212-6240

Thanks for all you do!

Talbert Black, Jr.