Feedback: Feb. 3

Re: “D.C., Md. push higher taxes, record spending” (op-ed by Mark Lee, Jan. 27)

Mark Lee’s recent column, “D.C., Md. push higher taxes, record spending” gives readers the false impression that Maryland’s public employees do not contribute to their own pension plans.  Le writes, “While many other states are…demanding that public employees contribute to generous benefit and pension plans…the two kindred jurisdictions north of the Potomac are behaving as outlier from another era.”  While I can’t speak for the District, Maryland State employees and teachers had been contributing five percent of their salaries into the pension plan until July 1, 2011 when—as a result of sweeping pension reforms enacted during the last General Assembly session—the contribution rate was increased to seven percent. —Michael D. Golden, director of external affairs, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System