Page 41 July 2011 DiCiccio Continued from page 10 Would you have agreed to a food tax of $30 million a year if you knew government staff was getting pay raises of $28.9 million a year? This is an issue you should decide for yourself. Below are some facts from the City of Phoenix Budget and Research Department. Read them, and then you tell me if government should get a pay raise on top of this: $98,322: Average total compensation for Phoenix employees $18,000: An average city worker’s compensation increase since 2005 15,000: Number of city employees $130 million: Increases in taxes and fees on you in past 18 months $270 million: Amount the city pays more for about the same number of employees since 2005. 15: Number of city employees laid off due to the recession 40½: Total days off (sick, holiday, vacation, personal) for fi rst-year clerk $8,000: Education bene fi ts per employee $0: What employees pay for buses and rail (it’s free to them) 50s: Age at which Phoenix employees can retire with pension $75,000: Expected payout for post- employment health bene fi ts for 20-year city worker The pension when staff retires isn’t too bad either. Sal DiCiccio represents Dist. 6, which includes Ahwatukee, Arcadia, Biltmore, East Camelback and North Central. He can be reached at council.district.6@ phoenix.gov or 602-262-7491. Twist Continued from page 26