Chip's Blog

Chip, just when are you going to announce your candidacy for President?

I just think we are doing the wrong thing on Question 1. It's kinda a "gun control" type of argument...in that it blames the "thing" (taxation) for the actions of people (legislators). It's a quick fix that misses the mark...

What would you guys allocate?

Remove any salary increases until we can afford them. I would insist govmt employees pay at least 25% of their own healthcare. HIRING FREEZE NOW vs layoffs. Attrition employees off the payroll and learn to do more with less. How about a pay for performance--I know the CEO's have been immune but that needs to start from the top and go down the entry level employee.

I would insist on a time study--remember those. If you had a time study in a govmt building, I would bet my dog that youo could get the same amount of work from half the employees--If those working actually worked an 8 hour day.

I like GL's ideas. My mother was a state employee for years. I always used to tease her when she told someone she worked for the state. I always said "nobody works for the state. They're state employees but they don't work". She used to get so irritated. Anyway, I would definitely continue to fund DMH and DMR. As close to the current funding as possible. I would scrutinize with a magnifying glass the Medicaid system, disability and secion 8 housing. While I know these programs get federal funds, the state pays into them as well and they're the ones who do the determinations. There's definitely pork there. As governor you can't cut education I believe, so that's off limits for now. I have to give this much more thought.

jonsmm,

I can't disagree with you on what you wrote. In the process, I'd suggest that there be a specific exclusion to HIPPA (the new medical privacy act) that not only allowed, but mandated (much like the mandate ot report child abuse) reporting medicaid and medicare fraud, as well as any fraudulent applications for entitlement services. I'd privatize hospital care/medical care for our veterans...seeking corporations like Caritas and Hospital Corp of America to bid on running segments.

I'd create a fee structure for legislation offered with the cost going directly to the legislator and with the fees paid by private donation from those effected, none of them being corporations or corporate members...and let me tell ya...the fees would be high...HIGH...make passing laws costly. My freedom is worth alot...

More folks?

Well from what I saw today at the governors press conference,cutting money from the budget doesn't sit well with me. Cutting Police and Fire? We already have enough fire stations closing and there are always stories on the news about how the house could have been saved if only the fire station right down the block was open. Crime isn't getting much better especially in the bigger cities so I don't think that the state should be cutting police officers.


Nice blog Chip
Chip for Prez! lol



Aidan

While I think it's important to have police and fire fighters, I also don't think they should always be immune from cuts. No city, town or state worker should be immune, just like most people in the private sector. I agree that severe cuts shouldn't take place but there is a lot of waste in some departments around the state.
And Chip, I agree that reporting suspected fraud should be a priority and a mandate for those of us in the medical and human services fields. Too many people blatantly abuse the system and nobody wants to do anything about it. It gets old after awhile. And the fee structure? Pretty good idea. Doubt it will ever see the light of day.
Xan,
I haven't had a cost of living raise since my last job and I've been at my current one for almost three years. As it is I took this job for $25000.00 less annually than my last job. I was out of work for 18 months and sort of fell into this job. One percent is all I've gotten here and there have been years where no raise was received by non union employees at all. One percent. I am making little as it is and if you add up the raises I've received since I've been here it doesn't even add up to a dollar an hour. I think it's shameful but it's human services and everyone knows nobody goes into this field for the money.

I don't have a clue on what or were to begin.
How much do the TOP Senaters make a year?Who pays the Plane fares?Limo Costs?How much does it cost to repair their private jets?Is it a "State Jet"?Who pays for their health care.
By the way,the 'best' in the country?How much do the 'BACON'Hill polititions make a year?On both sides of the isle?What 'cuts' will they make?1 less turkey on their 15 foot dining room tables?1 less ham on Christmas?Be very real,you/we will be the ones doing the cutting.
2 less trips to grandma's for the holidays.While they spend thousands on Christmas presents,we will cut ours by 75%.Have Grapenuts instead of a turkey/ham.Burning candles for heat while they have 10 to 15 foot trees in their Million dollar houses.How can you cut if you have nothing to cut.The politition are holding the money bags.And they won't give them up.