Good Old Boy network alive and well in PA

[schr8er2000]

This story is an editorial in todays Hazleton Standard Speaker.....

BOLD is MINE


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No justification for Gov. Rendell’s political hiring


Published: Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:12 AM EST

Gov. Ed Rendell has moved aggressively to trim the state budget in anticipation of a recession-induced fiscal year-end deficit now estimated at up to $2 billion.

It’s not yet clear just how the reductions will affect state services and the delivery of social services provided by local governments with partial state funding. Projected cuts could be mitigated somewhat by the economic stimulus plan that soon will make its way through Congress.

Unfortunately, the governor also has demonstrated that, for certain politicians, recession is merely a word rather than a fact.

A hiring freeze was one of the appropriate first measures that Rendell enacted last September as state revenues began to fall. As in any such freeze in any enterprise, managers usually retain the discretion to fill critical positions.

It is extremely questionable whether an expensive new hire approved by Rendell falls into that category.

Dan Surra, an Elk County Democrat who was a member of the state House for 18 years and a leader of the Democratic caucus before being defeated in November, was named to a newly created job in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources — which has at least 11 open but frozen positions.

Surra will be paid $95,000 a year, about $20,000 more than his salary as a state representative, to help direct the Pennsylvania Wilds program. The Pennsylvania Wilds is a multi-county region of North-Central Pennsylvania known for its great natural beauty. The program is meant to increase tourism and related jobs there.

There is nothing new about such politically inspired hiring, other than Surra’s move from the legislative branch to the executive branch. The Legislature often hires its own members after they lose elections.

It’s something to remember as Rendell and lawmakers alike justify cuts by citing the reality of the recession — a reality that seems to apply to everyone other than the political anointed.


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Lose one job and get a better one when others are still locked out.. Hmmmmmmm

[SilentRage]

This story is an editorial in todays Hazleton Standard Speaker.....

BOLD is MINE


------------------------------------------------------------------------
No justification for Gov. Rendell’s political hiring


Published: Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:12 AM EST

Gov. Ed Rendell has moved aggressively to trim the state budget in anticipation of a recession-induced fiscal year-end deficit now estimated at up to $2 billion.

It’s not yet clear just how the reductions will affect state services and the delivery of social services provided by local governments with partial state funding. Projected cuts could be mitigated somewhat by the economic stimulus plan that soon will make its way through Congress.

Unfortunately, the governor also has demonstrated that, for certain politicians, recession is merely a word rather than a fact.

A hiring freeze was one of the appropriate first measures that Rendell enacted last September as state revenues began to fall. As in any such freeze in any enterprise, managers usually retain the discretion to fill critical positions.

It is extremely questionable whether an expensive new hire approved by Rendell falls into that category.

Dan Surra, an Elk County Democrat who was a member of the state House for 18 years and a leader of the Democratic caucus before being defeated in November, was named to a newly created job in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources — which has at least 11 open but frozen positions.

Surra will be paid $95,000 a year, about $20,000 more than his salary as a state representative, to help direct the Pennsylvania Wilds program. The Pennsylvania Wilds is a multi-county region of North-Central Pennsylvania known for its great natural beauty. The program is meant to increase tourism and related jobs there.

There is nothing new about such politically inspired hiring, other than Surra’s move from the legislative branch to the executive branch. The Legislature often hires its own members after they lose elections.

It’s something to remember as Rendell and lawmakers alike justify cuts by citing the reality of the recession — a reality that seems to apply to everyone other than the political anointed.


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Lose one job and get a better one when others are still locked out.. Hmmmmmmm

Yeah this is something I've been thinking about alot lately , maybe we
should all get together and figure out who in our State Government we
really don't need !
Time for "We the People" to start eliminating jobs that aren't needed !!

[DaveM55]

So I guess that civil service test I took was a waste of time.

[Warpt762x39]

Yeah this is something I've been thinking about alot lately , maybe we
should all get together and figure out who in our State Government we
really don't need !
Time for "We the People" to start eliminating jobs that aren't needed !!

"We the People" should be putting our foot down so to speak. We do not need anymore agencies, departments or cabinet positions. I think a few high level layoffs in the government is exactly what we need to save money both in what they take home in pay and what they steal for their pet projects.

[bige64]

"We the People" should be putting our foot down so to speak. We do not need anymore agencies, departments or cabinet positions. I think a few high level layoffs in the government is exactly what we need to save money both in what they take home in pay and what they steal for their pet projects.

I say we start at the top and layoff fat eddy himself... He is the biggest waste of space and PA money...

[Warpt762x39]

I say we start at the top and layoff fat eddy himself... He is the biggest waste of space and PA money...

That sounds like a really good idea.

[Chunky Monkey]

He recently said that there will be layoffs and furloughs of state employees and he doesn't want to hear any whining. But yet he can throw $95,000 away to a buddy of his. He's an ass!

[Falcon118]

I say we start at the top and layoff fat eddy himself... He is the biggest waste of space and PA money...

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Warpt762x39]

He recently said that there will be layoffs and furloughs of state employees and he doesn't want to hear any whining. But yet he can throw $95,000 away to a buddy of his. He's an ass!

I say let him hire his good buddy and pay him the $95,000 a year. One hitch. Fat Eddy pays him out of HIS pocket.