That was the front page headline in today's Asbury Park Press about Monmouth County Democrats taking control of the Freeholder Board for the first time in 23 years.
It warms my heart to hear Democrats talk about cutting government spending. But honestly, the cuts that Democrats Barbara McMorrow, John D'Amico and Amy Mallet talked about are anything but "dramatic budget cutting measures" as the APP article called them. Theatrical maybe, but not dramatic.
Asking 20 non-union employees who make over $100K to voluntarily take a 10% pay cut, which might yield savings of $300K is symbolic, not a "dramatic budget cutting measure" in a budget of almost $500 million dollars. Just as the Freeholder's 10% pay cut is symbolic. Firing 2 or 3 of those $100K earners if they don't get enough "volunteers" would be theatrical, but even that would not yield "dramatic" savings.
Closing the Youth Detention Center and saving $2.5 million dollars would be a "dramatic budget cutting measure." It has already been studied, twice. But just like Jon Corzine, the Monmouth County Dems need to keep pandering to unions. That is what the "aggressive public works program costing millions" is all about.
Selling one of the county helicopters and saving $200K in operating expenses might be a good idea. If there is a dramatic rise in mosquitos or gypsy moths, it would have been a very bad idea.
D'Amico wants his Inspector General to make sure something like Operation Bid Rig never happens again. What makes D'Amico suspect that it is happening again? Hey, if the position pays for itself I'm all for it. If it is just another political/bureaucratic plum it is a waste. Term limits would be cheaper.
Amy Mallet said she wants to institute zero based budgeting. That's a great idea and I hope it happens. Since Lillian Burry campaigned on that idea when she first ran from Freeholder in 2005, Amy starts with two of the 5 votes she needs to get it done. Maybe we'll end up with a 10-20 percent savings in the 2009 budget.
That would be dramatic.
The Legacy of Thomas Lifson
8 hours ago
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3 comments:
Since Burry ran on a zero based budget in 2005, and the board was all republican then, how come nothing ever came of it?
At least give them a little honeymoon time to see what they can do. I think all the symbolism is not a bad thing, and it shows that they're serious about cutting...but you're right, they have to follow up with a lot more substantial savings to try and keep our taxes down in this day and age. People all over the county are hurting and we need to get some relief....soon.
hmmm. Did Lillian Burry cut those items last year? Souldn't anyone in government earning over 100k and a pension and huge benefits take a cut in these tough times?
Looks like you are making a great case why the dems are better then the GOP. I will be voting for Barb now based upon the facts that this site has proven to me the current GOP has no answers.
"Inspector General-$95,000-$105,000 annually-Experience in law enforcement or judicial activities"
At first I thought this was a job for Joe Cryan, now I wonder if it's not tailor made for failed county commissioner candidate "Very Silent" Glenn Mason.
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