Reform of Retirement Disability Program Eyed

By Ann E. Marimow
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 14, 2008

When County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) called for reforming Montgomery's retirement disability program this week, he said he would seek changes that ensure the system is "just and proper and makes sense to county taxpayers."

A nine-month review by Leggett's advisers found that 34 percent of Montgomery County's public safety retirees collect disability benefits, compared with 25 percent in Prince George's County and 3 percent in Fairfax County.

Overhauling the program, Leggett said, would probably come through a combination of legislation, administrative changes and collective bargaining, and he said that he plans to meet soon with union leaders. Representatives of the county's powerful labor unions, however, were taken aback by the announcement Monday and seemed lukewarm to the idea.

Jane Milne, secretary for Fraternal Order of Police Local 35, said the news release issued by the county executive's office was the first the union had heard that Leggett was looking into the system.

"Despite the official-sounding name, this 'task force' is nothing more than the county executive's staff making recommendations to the county executive," Milne said. She said Leggett's team had not raised the issue during retirement negotiations that ended in November.

Leggett's advisers recommended, among other changes, restricting retirees from filing for disability after they retire in most circumstances and refining the broad definition of "disabled" to include either fully or partially disabled, each with different levels of benefits.

Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, who was represented in Leggett's review, said in a statement: "We need to take good care of those who have suffered disabling injuries in the line of duty. A good disability retirement system fairly compensates those who deserve it, and protects from any abuse by those who don't."

The suggestions from Leggett's advisers come as the office of Inspector General Thomas Dagley is preparing to release a critical assessment of the system next month.

Council members Phil Andrews (D-Gaithersburg-Rockville) and Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large), who were briefed on the inspector general's initial findings, said they, too, are concerned about oversight and management of the program and intend to work on tightening the system for determining eligibility.

Andrews said Leggett and the council should act swiftly through legislation or regulation, rather than try to improve the system through union negotiations that he said could delay changes for years.

In the last budget year, about $35 million of the $147 million the county paid in retirement benefits went to disability payments.

County Toasts Its Luck In Wine Futures Market

Oenophiles, raise your glasses. Amid news of disability retirement benefits and Triple A bond ratings, county officials issued a statement this week announcing that the government has gotten its hands on some 2005 vintage Bordeaux wines.

Montgomery, the only county in the nation that sells and distributes all alcoholic beverages, has often been criticized for its bland wine selection and for running a system that makes it hard for restaurant owners to offer distinctive labels.

So county officials seemed eager to tout their success in buying wine futures, including for names such as Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

"Many of the older Chateaux are difficult to acquire," George Griffin, director of the Department of Liquor Control, said in the statement. "Our risk paid off, as these wines have been highly rated by experts in the wine industry."

Such fine wine, however, comes at a price, as the county's message says that some of its labels are "quite expensive."

Family Advocate Gives Legislators High Marks

The advocacy group Progressive Maryland's list of Champions of Working Families is heavy with Montgomery legislators.

All but two of the county's 24 Democratic lawmakers scored 90 percent or higher on the report that rated votes on issues such as taxes, health care and public financing of campaigns.

The ranking also gave points for leadership, which the group defines in part as "whether a lawmaker works with progressive advocates to advance working-family legislation."

Topping the list in the Senate were District 16's Brian E. Frosh and District 20's Jamie B. Raskin, who tied for second place. Robert J. Garagiola in District 15 and Richard S. Madaleno Jr. in District 18 tied for third place.

In the House, Progressive Maryland ranked its former executive director, District 20's Tom Hucker, No. 1. Tied for second were Sheila E. Hixson of District 20 and Roger Manno of District 19. District 16's Susan C. Lee was ranked third.

At the bottom of the list of local delegation members was District 19 Del. Benjamin F. Kramer (D), who voted against the General Assembly's tax package that hit high-end earners in Montgomery more than in any other jurisdiction. Kramer's 62 percent rating was followed by that of District 17 Sen. Jennie M. Forehand (D), who at 89 percent was still above the overall Senate Democratic average of 80 percent.

Staff writer Dan Morse contributed to this report.