A Gilbert lawmaker wants to crack down on government officials who lavishly spend public funds then walk away with lucrative pensions.
Republican state Representative Warren Peterson’s bill follows the disclosure that Valley Metro CEO Stephen Banta spent large sums on meals and travel. Banta is resigning, but will reportedly walk away with an annuity and a public pension. Peterson said that’s unacceptable.
“Termination from a high position in government office should not be like winning the Lotto. Rewarding someone for bad behavior can only encourage more of the same," he said. "This is unacceptable and things have to change.”
Peterson’s bill would allow any taxpayer to sue to recover the public money. Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio said that’s important because the boards that oversee agencies like Valley Metro don’t really do much oversight of top employees. Banta maintains he has done nothing wrong but that’s irrelevant to the legislation, which would only affect situations going forward.