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The objective of the blog is to explain the origins of the crisis and how it will eventually be solved. Attorneys Dan Tobben, who successfully represented the St. Louis firefighters in their suit for pension payment, and David Binder started posting on the issue Monday.
“What we’re trying to do is raise the issue and encourage public discussion,” said Tobben, a [principal] at Danna McKitrick in Clayton, Mo. “Evanston needs to solve their problems one way or another, and this discussion hopefully will help them see that.”
“Everything is riding on these pensions,” Tobben said. “To me, the idea that the city doesn’t honor its obligations to its police and firefighters, it’s kind of like if we as Americans don’t honor our obligations to our military.”
Missouri Lawyers Weekly interviewed Patrick Murphy in an article entitled, “Consequences await tax scofflaws.”
When you don’t pay taxes, the Internal Revenue Service and state look at it as if you’re holding their money on loan. And they charge big-time interest and penalties.
The late-payment interest rate for the IRS is 4 percent. On top of that, there is a penalty for failure to pay -.5 percent for each month the tax is not paid in full, says Patrick Murphy, a tax attorney and CPA at Danna McKitrick in St. Louis.
“While these amounts may not sound like much, it really does add up quickly,” Murphy says. “And I have seen numerous occasions where a taxpayer actually owes as much in interest and penalties as they owe in actual taxes.”
“Another area where people get into trouble is when people don’t remit payroll taxes when they are due: They spend it,” Murphy says. “It doesn’t affect the paralegal or the receptionist, but the owners of the firm can be held personally liable.”
…with its focus on health reform and little time left this year to debate a permanent estate tax change, Congress is more likely to find a temporary solution. Most estate planning attorneys say they expect key components now in place to remain — including exempting the first $3.5 million of estates from the tax, but levying a 45 percent tax on values over that amount.
“There’s not enough time to debate any significant change, so there will be a patch,” said Patrick Murphy, an accountant and estate attorney…
The St. Louis Business Journal interviewed Ruth Binger in an article discussing how midsized law firms are performing during the current U.S. recession.
Like any other service provider, law firms are feeling the passed-along pain of their clients during the economic downturn. But in a strange kind of judo, midsize firms seem to be weathering the storm better than the industry’s behemoths or its boutique firms…
“We brought on three new lawyers this year,” said Ruth Binger… “[and] are doing great vis-a-vis what’s going on in the market.”
“I believe we have the best justice system in the world, but it takes a lawyer to access it, which is why it’s important for the legal system to take on pro bono work,” [Glick] said….
In court, he dedicates time helping homeless and other low income residents of the area, regularly representing them in court proceedings….
Glick said the best legal fee he ever collected was a plate of cookies from a pro bono client he kept from losing a home.
Reuben Shelton, president of the board of directors of legal services, called Glick an invaluable resource, in terms of the time, talent and efforts he donates.
“He’s always been willing to give of himself, taking on a heavy commitment of time without hesitation. He’s done so much for the community, no doubt about it,” Shelton said.
Not having had the opportunity to see the article prior to publishing, Tom wished to comment that LSEM thoroughly appreciates and values all types of contributions, including monetary ones. And in his remark about budgets, he was definitely referring to another of his own responsibilities–comparing board-level budget work to legal representation, he personally finds the legal work more rewarding, but both efforts are important to the success of an organization like LSEM.
The Missouri Supreme Court, which ultimately decided the case, ruled in 2007 that the city was required to make the full payment and ordered the city to pay a total of about $210 million into the three funds to make up the difference.
Dan Tobben, one of the attorneys who represented firefighters and police in the case, has since been hired by the Springfield police and fire associations and has warned that the Queen City could face a similar lawsuit if its funding shortfall isn’t addressed.
A St. Louis Business Journal article features Danna McKitrick attorney, Brian Weinstock, in its coverage of a dispute over state historic tax credits–the outcome of which sets precedent for the assignment of the credits.
“In Missouri, there are no cases that discuss the specific performance of assigning historic tax credits to a party,” Weinstock said. The St. Louis County judgment found that J & J Builders could pursue assignment of the tax credits through the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Picked up in a story today on KYTV and featured on the video:
The citizens’ task force for Springfield police and fire pension is considering two options: a 5/8 cent sales tax or a 3/4 cent sales tax. Either one would need to be in place for ten years. Some wonder if that’s enough and if the panel isn’t overlooking other options.
The attorney representing police and fire warned the panel what will happen if a decision isn’t made soon.
“I really don’t think you want to be a community that’s perceived to be a deadbeat community. You’re struggling with an under funded, understaffed, safety thing that’s going to cost you insurance rates, cost you goodwill in the community and and cost you a lot of things,” said attorney Daniel Tobben.
Dan Tobben comments on proposal by Springfield’s Police and Fire Pension Task Force, Thursday, July 29, 2009. Tells KSPR, “It is not legal to take away benefits.”
Watch the story…
Read news story… KSPR.com
Published: July 30, 2009
