Governor Beebe Double Dips Into Pockets of Arkansans

1st Awarded to Mike Beebe
on June 24, 2010

Republican Party of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas – Democrat Governor Mike Beebe was called out in a statewide editorial today for refusing to acknowledge his hand in allowing state officials to double dip into the pockets of Arkansas taxpayers.

According to a recent article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, over 500 state employees continue to collect two salaries for one job. An editorial today recognized the need for serious improvement in the Arkansas Public Employee Retirement System stating, “Reforms are needed. But they’re not likely to be made so long as the boss-in this case, Governor Mike Beebe-doesn’t mind these end runs around the retirement system. And even aids and abets them.”

“Arkansans recognize the failed leadership of Governor Beebe in giving state government the thumbs up to pay certain high ranking cronies two salaries for one job,” said Republican Party of Arkansas Communications Director Katherine Vasilos. “While Arkansans are fighting to overcome the highest unemployment in 24 years, Governor Mike Beebe is orchestrating a corrupt political game that could be costing taxpayers millions of dollars.”

In late July, State Representative Allen Kerr, R-Little Rock, requested an interim study concerning state agency directors and grade-99 state employees who are currently collecting a pension and a salary from the state, or who meet certain criteria to do so, as well as potential legislation that would require for the Legislature to be notified when an agency director or a deputy agency director retires.

“While state Democrats deal their cards in Governor Beebe’s good old boy game, Arkansas Republicans are working to end wasteful spending and hold state government accountable for their actions,” said Vasilos.

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Governor Beebe Takes the Wheel on Double Dipping“Three high-ranking executives have joined the state government’s retire-and-return-to-work crowd to draw both salaries and pensions. The state has more than 500 employees on its payroll who previously retired from state jobs, a state office said. The three new additions to the group are Department of Workforce Services Director Artee Williams, Office of Excise Tax Administration Administrator Tom Atchley, and acting Livestock and Poultry Commission Director Earl Kimbrell. Gov. Mike Beebe reappointed Williams after a 30-day retirement.” (Michael Wickline, “3 more retirees join back-to-work club, draw pay, pensions,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 8/10/11).

“No law can be a wholly adequate substitute for public employees’ own self-restraint. Reforms are needed. But they’re not likely to be made so long as the boss-in this case, Governor Mike Beebe-doesn’t mind these end runs around the retirement system. And even aids and abets them. The Hon. Mike Beebe says this kind of double-dipping, at least for officials he gets to pick, is perfectly justified.” (Editorial, The Unretired, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette , 8/18/11).

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Tags: Arkansas, Governor, Mike Beebe, hypocrite, double dip, double dipping, RPA, Republican Party of Arkansas To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!