County councilmen boost their pensions

If the public had understood that members of the Baltimore County Council were arranging for their pensions to increase dramatically – to double in some cases – they might have cried foul. Wade Kach’s pension for 12 years of service, for example, is poised to jump 103% from $41,400 to $84,000. The actions that the council took to engineer such boosts, though legal, were very quietly carried out. Brew reporting shined a light on the maneuvering and sleight of hand.

May 18, 20260

The Baltimore County Council pension bill: Too little too late

Complicit in a convoluted pension grab, lawmakers are trying to save face now with a bill that could set the county up for a lawsuit. [OP-ED]

Mar 16, 20260

Baltimore County Council repeals pension bill denounced as self-dealing

In an election year, the public furor over what was viewed as a cushy “golden parachute” had lawmakers doing an abrupt about-face.

Mar 16, 20260

Poised to undo their pension grab, but pretending that’s not what it was

In an election year, there’s an extra measure of false framing and finger-pointing ahead of the vote on the Baltimore County Council’s agenda tonight. [OP-ED]

Jan 27, 20260

Jones and Young blast Patoka for pension debacle, while others denounce the County Council as a whole

Former members have also popped up, wagging a finger at their successors for what they call “a sharp departure from the ethical standards they observed while serving on the council.”

Jan 26, 20260

Getting members of the Baltimore County Council to eliminate their pension windfalls won’t be easy

The simple solution is to repeal Bill 40-24. The question is: will lawmakers do it? UPDATED.

Jan 23, 20260

Candidate Nick Stewart calls for repeal of Baltimore County Council pension measure

Julian Jones, on the other hand, says he will seek a charter amendment, while Izzy Patoka says he will not approve the proposed salary hike.

Jan 20, 20260

Four Baltimore County Council members are now in a position to double their pensions

County lawmakers are set to feather their retirement nests, a move they laid the groundwork for in 2024. [OP-ED]

Oct 8, 20240

Followup: Wade Kach’s pension bonanza on track to greet him upon retirement

The Baltimore County councilman, who says he’ll retire in 2026, is in line for a pension that would skyrocket thanks to the legislation he wrote.

Jul 9, 20240

Baltimore County councilmen resort to legislative logrolling in their quest for a pension windfall

The charter amendment that expands the council from seven to nine members also awards incumbents with a salary and pension boost. [OP-ED]

Jun 4, 20240

Pension boost for Baltimore County Council members proposed by Wade Kach is approved by his colleagues

Lawmakers who voted last night to approve the upward recalculation of pensions will directly benefit when they leave the council.

Jun 3, 20240

Before the Baltimore County Council tonight: A vote to enrich its members’ pensions

Bill 40-24 makes an overly generous retirement plan even more lucrative for its seven members. [OP-ED]

May 30, 20240

County Councilman Wade Kach is angling to give himself and his colleagues a raise when they retire

The council is scheduled to vote Monday on a bill that would change the way pensions are calculated when they retire, benefiting them significantly over other county employees.