Perry style “double dip” would be verboten under bill advancing in Texas House

A bill to bar Texas elected officials from “double dipping,” or collecting a state pension while still in office, won tentative approval from the House on Monday.

Former Gov. Rick Perry inspired the legislation after revealing four years ago — on a personal financial disclosure form that he filed as a presidential candidate — that he was collecting a state pension of about $90,000 in addition to his $150,000 salary as governor. State ethics laws don’t require politicians to disclose their income from pensions.

“Clearly, it’s a bad practice that erodes the public trust, and it’s something I’m glad we have bipartisan support to end,” said bill author Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie. “This bill is an important step.”

The measure, which advanced on a vote of 137-2, would apply to all elected officials in the state Employees Retirement System except for district attorneys. It only would apply to those elected after it takes effect. If the Senate also gives it a two-thirds vote, the bill would take effect immediately – and otherwise, on Sept. 1.

Read more: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/05/perry-style-double-dip-would-be-verboten-under-bill-advancing-in-texas-house.html/