CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Budget address open thread

Re: Budget address open thread

Cassandra — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:03:49 -0000

To clarify, by early retirement, I mean the rule of 85. It has the effect of early retirement for those who qualify before age 65. I'm not talking about the special early retirement programs like the one in the latter part of the Ryan administration that our fearless legislators voted in despite the obvious fiscal risks to the state.

I'd still like to know how many current state employees are eligible this fy for early retirement as defined above. These would be individuals whose combined age and length of service is 85. They are unlikely to be on exec staffs for the most part, because those jobs turn over when the guv changes. A significant percentage of them could be replaced by new employees making substantially less. It's the way of the world.....look at any major corporation.
And the incumbents get free health insurance and
a lifetime pension that increases by 3 percent a year, come what may.

In a global economy, this comes as close to
permanent income security as you can get. And
it is generally not available in the private sector.

When Blago gets closer to departing, or losing the primary, you will see him trying to move hundreds, even thousands of political hires into permanent
civil service jobs.....the ones he hasn't moved
already. Lifetime government employment regardless of performance is so valuable, his political troops will do anything to get those jobs. A measure of their extreme value. And we're payiing.

Re: Budget address open thread

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:02:46 -0000

You know, whenever I read blog posts about "lazy" and "overpaid" state workers and how people in the private sector have it so much worse (I'm sure many do), and the accompanying replies by complaining state workers, it reminds me of why envy is considered one of the seven deadly sins. If you work in a miserable, underpaid job (private or public), wishing that everyone else were as miserable as you isn't going to help you one bit! All it does is spread division, class envy and discontent into a world that, God knows, doesn't need any more of it!

Re: Budget address open thread

DOWNSTATE — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:00:46 -0000

Bluedog you have to be one of those political hacks.I just found out that one of your cronies high up in the DNR got his son a job with DNR.His son was caught growing pot in his DNR uniform last fall by the DEA.He has been charged and has been indicted.Because his Daddy is a hack high up he still has his job.Maybe your boss,the Gov., can start with the bad apples in DNR when people lose their jobs.This is not rumor this is a matter of court record.The kicker is it was Daddy's land.Talk about corruption in state government.

Re: Budget address open thread

Fed up with doing 4 jobs — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:50:53 -0000

Blue Dog and all you other state worker bashers: Not all state workers get those high salaries. I am a 55 yr old secretary,have 26 yrs of service and make $3800 a month - believe me I earned every damn penny of my non-union salary. So I would get about maybe $1500 clear if I retired. Of course if I retire I will have to get another job to make ends meet as I still have kids - one home -one in college(single mother). In 2002 when everyone retired those positions were not filled. I now do the work that 4 people use to do. Some of "my" work never gets done, some gets half done and the rest gets processed as time permits. There is always a backlog and they just keep shoveling more work to you yr after yr. DOn't tell me how it is until you have walked in my shoes. PS. THis message was sent on my day off. I am home today must take mother in for tests (I also help her/she is disabled)- did not want you to think I had one of those fluffy jobs.

Re: Budget address open thread

bluedog demo — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:00:52 -0000

What's the matter Art Linkletter ? Can't handle a little needleing either. Dont't see to many state police cars being " towed " on the hook. Stop crying and tighten the belt like every one else has to in America. Blago is pathtic of course but when the general public hears state employees crying over their supposed " plight " they just shrug. If you don't like your " back breaking " job then QUIT . Come on into the real world !

Re: Budget address open thread

boogie — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:10:53 -0000

so will the ga pass the hb4194 or not? wont this bill help with alot of the things the gov is trying to accomplish? vote yes folks. you will be protecting over 40,000 jobs in the horse racing business alone.

Re: Budget address open thread

Gregor — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:04:35 -0000

I qualify for that proposed "stimulus" money. All told, it would cover my grocery bills for 4 weeks. Whoop de freaking doo. Meaning, it ain't no stimulus to spend. If it happens, It will all go into reducing family debt. No new HDTV 40-inch plasma at the Samsa house. Not much in the way of new clothes. Not going out to the movies and a nice dinner with the missus. Certainly not buying a car with it. I got debts to pay down, savings to build, kid's college educations to finance. Retirement to plan. Few if any local businesses are going to see me spend any of that "stimulus" money on them, either federal OR state. You want to see a stimulus, give me the multistate lotto winning numbers for next week. This stuff is chickenfeed they're promising, and frankly, It would do more good for me and mine and you all if it was pooled into smart spending by the government on infrastructure repairs and improvements, on improving public mass transportation, on encouraging new industries and start-up businesses, on replacing our aging nuke plants with better, safer ones so we aren't in a California crisis in ten years. That would be the start of a stimulus.

Re: Budget address open thread

Smokin' on the Veranda — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:53:00 -0000

Bluedog's little blue dog was run over by a state-plated vehicle when he was a boy, and he hasn't forgiven state workers since. Is the impression I get from his posts.

You can't help but know plenty of state workers in this town, they are neighbors, fellow churchgoers, our kids play together, go to the same schools. I hang with these people. The kind of folks Blue and Cassie like to stereotype as lazy, self-serving parasites sucking tax dollars and giving little effort back.

That's not been my experience. I find their forbearance of all the management goofiness and politics going on over their heads about on a par with the biblical Job. They suffer much, mostly in silence. They long ago stopped complaining about office furniture from the 70's, heck, its almost back in fashion now, if a bit worn. Or crumbling buildings and facilities and infrastructures and systems that are patched and re-patched because there's always a more urgent and pressing need for the budget dollars and of course, it's lasted this long, it'll likely last one more year until the times get better, right? They long ago gave up wondering why seasoned experts that took years to master a subject are yanked out and replaced by kids fresh out of school or a year in private industry with no actual background in the subject but triple the salary. Why instead of asking the workers what to do to tighten belts, expensive out of state consultants are engaged to walk around and ask the staff what to do, then make an expensive report that ignores the advice and instead suggests they should, (surprise) hire those same consultants to come in and run things. For twice the money. Or private sector business "experts" that brag how they want to "run government like a business"...about like Murder, Incorporated.

They have stopped bothering to be surprised when the improvements to systems and services they've long planned are shelved, over and over, because the "excess funds" in their agency accounts have been "swept" into GRF. Funds they fought for, and justified in long, detailed reports that are apparently never read.

The people I know work hard and honestly, every day, doing the best they can to deliver a service, whatever their agency. They don't give a hang who the governor is at the time, they just want to be left alone in a stable environment to do their jobs, serve our citizens, and put bread on the home table. They used to be able to show some pride in what they did. Public service used to be considered a noble profession. Now its more like WWII English citizens hiding out in the subways waiting for the Blitz to be over. Can't talk about work over beers because inevitably some unschooled shmo will use the broad brush of the Governor and his hacks to paint one of my neighbors with. That just ain't right. Don't try to run down those fine people to justify yet more draconian cuts; pick management, pick the elected leaders and constitutionals and legislators YOU ELECTED, to dump on. That is where the problem lies. Promise all the services we want, but never charge what they cost to deliver.

Re: Budget address open thread

Mr. Wizard — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:48:37 -0000

Everyone who has worked in IL gov. knows both sides are right here. Most state workers work and are paid average salaries. Some are political hires who do little real work. (It's been this way forever.) The problem with pensions IS NOT THE MEMBERS! They all paid their share for their benefits (even the early-out folks in 2002). It's the governors and GA members who didn't pay the state's share that is the problem. Enough blame all around, going back to the 80's, at least...

Re: Budget address open thread

Six Degrees of Separation — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:30:13 -0000

Whether you think the majority of state workers are worthy or not, one fact remains. IL has less of them per population than any other state in the US. I think CA is near the bottom also. I checked the Census figures for 2006 (last that were available) for # of state employees and estimated population. Turns out IL has 87 state employees for every 1000 people. Our neighboring state have anywhere from 97 (WI) to 136 (IA) state employees per 1000 people.

Re: Budget address open thread

Arthur Andersen — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:23:29 -0000

Soon, the State Police is another example of a once proud and well-run operation that has headed for the crapper under Blago.

Since Gov. Filan doesn't think they need new police cars, they don't get 'em. The men and women out there on the roads saving our sorry a**** are driving crap that Larry the Cable Guy wouldn't be seen in. Besides, they spend buckets of dough fixing the old dogs at the CMS garage that would be better spent on new, safe, vehicles.

The young Trooper who was tragically killed in the line of duty near Illiopolis last year was driving a 1997 squad car. That's ridiculous if not negligent.

Of course, the Blago security phalanx has plenty of shiny, fresh Tahoes, Suburbans and whatever sitting around burning $3.25 taxpayer gas in Ravenswood.

At first glance, I don't see plans to backfill all those Trooper retirements anywhere in the budget.

Oh, what the heck, we don't need State Police after dark, right?

Idiot is too kind a word for this guy.

Bluedog, you and Cassandra make a nice pair.

Re: Budget address open thread

bluedog demo — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:01:23 -0000

Just the facts: You got to be kidding right about just the top political hires being slackers ? Right ? If you are not kidding you are truely doing a great job of " spinning " !

Re: Budget address open thread

A Citizen — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:56:15 -0000

- Just the facts -
Try factoring in $1500 + of Social Security with its COLAs also and then argue facts. You will find I am right on! Recheck your "formula", it needs updating.

Re: Budget address open thread

Just the facts — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:56:11 -0000

Bluedog - See retiree's comments above - that's what happened. As to Cassandra's "relaxed workplace" comment - only perhaps for the exempt political hires at the top of the agencies - not for the average folks.

By the way, I'm not a state employee. I'm in the private sector, but deal with the state employees in a variety of agencies on a day-to-day basis. I left state employment many years ago, but continue to have a great deal of respect for the folks who stayed.

Re: Budget address open thread

jwscott72 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:53:17 -0000

Random musings about the speech:

1. We watched the speech over our lunch hour at work (a state agency). The biggest cheer of the day came when Tickner introduced Rich Miller to the viewer. He was informative, witty and the ladies gushed like giddly schoolgirls. Yes, I'm sucking up to Rich right now! LOL

2. Blago looked awful. He looked more nervous than usual. I can't blame him though. He was walking into a room where nearly everyone hates him.

3. The speech was a great kick-off for 2010. I thought I was listening to a Republican while he talked about cutting taxes. I knew the worm would turn soon enough.

4. He said Democrats control everything, what, 100 times. We're aware of that and you're not making friends with Senor Frank Watson by rubbing his nose in crap.

5. Lousy speech, no specifics and loved the fact that he got little to no applause. Hey, at least it didn't take up my whole lunch hour.

Re: Budget address open thread

Just the facts — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:50:08 -0000

Citizen - do the math the COLA is 3%. After 30 years you receive about half of the average of the highest 4 of your last 10 years of employment. It won't happen in 4 or 5 years and when you factor in inflation it will never happen.

But don't let the facts get in the way of your comments . . . .

Re: Budget address open thread

Soon to Retire — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:45:11 -0000

State Police escapes the 3% cut , but what you should know is that State Police numbers already down by 400 from high of 2300 many years ago , and expect 200 to go in 2008 and they say 700 total from 2008 thru 2012. They use to work till age 60 now as soon as they max out, they get out the door , whats that tell you.

Re: Budget address open thread

bluedog demo — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:29:50 -0000

Citizen, You pretty well have it figured out. In one of her posts Cassandra mentioned state employment as being a " relaxed workplace ". Now that is an understatement. Many a state worker has no idea how " real world " employment has changed since they fell into state employment !

Re: Budget address open thread

A Citizen — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:18:45 -0000

My guess is that being a ghost payroller on the State Employees Retirement System could be a sweet deal. After four or five years, with COLA increases your income is higher than when you retired. Plus free insurance and unlimited vacation and sick days benefits. And as icing on the cake you may also get Social Security as well. How sweet it is!

Re: Budget address open thread

Jack Jackson — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:15:45 -0000

To Cassandra:

There is no such thing as "early retirement" in state government. The regular retirement rules are in place unless the GA votes in a special, time limited early retirement option. When the time is up, the offer expires like a coupon. As of today, no such thing exists. So stop yammering about it, OK?

Re: Budget address open thread

bluedog demo — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:07:55 -0000

to: just the fact. Sorry to say but the " early retirees " is NOT atypical. Many an " early out " is now " sipping coffee " and laughing all the way to the bank. Truth of the matter is that they wouldn't have been " bought out and off " if they had been worth what they was being paid ! End of story.

Re: Budget address open thread

Retiree — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:06:07 -0000

Arthur Andersen hit the nail on the head. I worked for a state agency for almost 30 years. I still get calls on a regular basis to explain aspects of the regulations and laws that the agency enforces. My experience is not unique. The institutional knowledge that disappeared 5 years ago was significant. The agency that I worked for was recognized by other states and the industry regulated by the agenncy as being professional and competent. Now the agency is just about forgotten by similar agencies around the country.

Re: Budget address open thread

DHS Disaster — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:05:11 -0000

The lavish state jobs are not so lavish, AFSME has a contract to negotiate for and in these fiscal times I am sure the state frontliners will take their beatings. And for all those "private" workers who are displaced I know many of them turn to the state for help until finding that next job and if there are no workers there to process the work how will the "private" workers survive until finding employment?

Re: Budget address open thread

MIDSTATE — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:58:50 -0000

I would like to see some of these people who bash state workers come work at the prison where I do. The only positions that have been filed in the last 6 years are the exempt hack ones. The positions that do the work are left unfilled, and those that are left get fu...., you get the idea.
Bloated at the top, and in the places like correctional industries where they, and everyother administration, has dumped many a hacks. Another 3% cut in budget/staff will have a close to going over the edge. Nothing has been has been done about repairing buildings, or replacing vehicles and other equipment. Corrections is a DISASTER.

Re: Budget address open thread

A Citizen — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:57:47 -0000

I think I heard that the Cubs will be playing at Stateville - anyone else who can confirm?