In recognition of the fact that underfunded, fiscally-unsustainable public employ retirement programs are driving all levels government toward bankruptcy, Americans for Prosperity-Colorado last week unveiled a new pledge it is asking elected officials and candidates for office to sign. The pledge not only asks signers to abstain from participating in such programs themselves, but it commits them to taking every action possible to protect taxpayers from future pension bailouts, by restoring such funds to financial sustainability and refraining from promising public employees pension benefits that aren’t fully funded and sustainable over the long run.

The pledge reads as follows:

Illinois politicians raised taxes last year by 67%, yet we still have the worst-funded pension system in the nation, with over $85 billion in unfunded liabilities.

The courageous, common-sense budget and labor reforms passed by the Wisconsin legislature and signed by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have put their state on solid fiscal footing, earning high praise from the business community, residents and even some government employees, while actually fostering a decrease in property taxes. AFP-Illinois is joining patriots throughout the nation in supporting the Wisconsin reforms and we need your help with two important activities:

1. Sign up for our Freedom Phones program to make phone calls into Wisconsin from your own home or cell phone. You do not even need a computer, only a phone, to help out at this important time.