Comments on: In Defense of State Employees http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/ Sharing (and commenting on) what's important to me Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:12:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Art http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1929 Art Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:39:08 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1929 Yeah, my bad! What was I thinking? Yeah, my bad! What was I thinking?

]]> By: Thom http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1920 Thom Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:26:21 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1920 Art...when have you ever known our legislators to see the answer right in front of their eyes? Their sole goal is to make our life as difficult as possible and to waste valuable taxpayer time and money. Art…when have you ever known our legislators to see the answer right in front of their eyes? Their sole goal is to make our life as difficult as possible and to waste valuable taxpayer time and money.

]]> By: Art Harris http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1916 Art Harris Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:58:52 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1916 What really bothers me about the furloughs is that nobody has provided an economic basis for them. Here are a few points to consider: 1) How many positions are we talking about? Does DHRD actually have a count and the associated salaries? 2) What would be the actual costs savings to the state? 3) Given that there are over 60,000 state employees, what is he economic impact of taking that amount of money out of circulation? 4) What will be the impact to programs in DHS, DOH, and DLIR when employees find themselves unable to pay their bills and requesting public assistance? I've not seen a single one of my questions addressed. All I see is a political struggle between the Governor, legislature, and the unions. Why hasn't our legislature even considered tweaking the GET to raise revenue and exempt food and medicine? Are they so short-sighted that they refuse to see a solution right in front of their eyes? What really bothers me about the furloughs is that nobody has provided an economic basis for them. Here are a few points to consider:
1) How many positions are we talking about? Does DHRD actually have a count and the associated salaries?
2) What would be the actual costs savings to the state?
3) Given that there are over 60,000 state employees, what is he economic impact of taking that amount of money out of circulation?
4) What will be the impact to programs in DHS, DOH, and DLIR when employees find themselves unable to pay their bills and requesting public assistance?

I’ve not seen a single one of my questions addressed. All I see is a political struggle between the Governor, legislature, and the unions. Why hasn’t our legislature even considered tweaking the GET to raise revenue and exempt food and medicine? Are they so short-sighted that they refuse to see a solution right in front of their eyes?

]]> By: damon http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1879 damon Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:17:37 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1879 I'm so glad that right now I'm not working for the State. On the Big Island, we recently had an investigation on county employee's and their internet use because of a simple question put out by a councilman on way to save county dollars. http://damontucker.com/2009/06/08/hawaii-corporation-counsel-county-internet-records-not-%E2%80%9Cscandal-%E2%80%9D/ I’m so glad that right now I’m not working for the State.

On the Big Island, we recently had an investigation on county employee’s and their internet use because of a simple question put out by a councilman on way to save county dollars.

http://damontucker.com/2009/06/08/hawaii-corporation-counsel-county-internet-records-not-%E2%80%9Cscandal-%E2%80%9D/

]]> By: kkb http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1876 kkb Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:56:38 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1876 Mahalo, Capsun. Let me just say that I also admire Howard, and respect both you and Blaine for being pioneers in social networking (only slightly behind my friend Burt Lum) that has roped the rest of us in. When I read Howard's blog the first time, my takeaway wasn't that state workers were lazy. As you've illustrated, some state workers are hard-working just as some are not. And some in the private sector some are hardworking, just as some are not. The point I took home from Howard's essay was that government workers may enjoy the security of pension plans, health coverage, flex spend programs, and incrementally increasing salaries just because time passes and their union contract says it's time for a x% raise; whereas, those that work in the private sector--in my case, non-profit--do not take for granted that we will get raises based on merit, annual evaluations, or any other reason. If money is tight, programs and services are prioritized, and salaries and benefits are not. And within this economic downturn, layoffs and furloughs began last winter: environmental orgs are are down to skeletal staff; museums are furloughing , one up to one week per month for one; service providers are working alone or double shifts; the tales go on and on. I know you understand the issues. I guess I can see how state employees might pick up on whatever was said about their industriousness, or perceived lack of; as a non-profit employee whose employer does not provide a retirement plan and who's enjoyed one raise in 7+ years (and think how much the economy has changed in this time) I related to Howard's join-the-club sentiments. Just a different view... Mahalo, Capsun. Let me just say that I also admire Howard, and respect both you and Blaine for being pioneers in social networking (only slightly behind my friend Burt Lum) that has roped the rest of us in.
When I read Howard’s blog the first time, my takeaway wasn’t that state workers were lazy. As you’ve illustrated, some state workers are hard-working just as some are not. And some in the private sector some are hardworking, just as some are not. The point I took home from Howard’s essay was that government workers may enjoy the security of pension plans, health coverage, flex spend programs, and incrementally increasing salaries just because time passes and their union contract says it’s time for a x% raise; whereas, those that work in the private sector–in my case, non-profit–do not take for granted that we will get raises based on merit, annual evaluations, or any other reason. If money is tight, programs and services are prioritized, and salaries and benefits are not.
And within this economic downturn, layoffs and furloughs began last winter: environmental orgs are are down to skeletal staff; museums are furloughing , one up to one week per month for one; service providers are working alone or double shifts; the tales go on and on. I know you understand the issues.
I guess I can see how state employees might pick up on whatever was said about their industriousness, or perceived lack of; as a non-profit employee whose employer does not provide a retirement plan and who’s enjoyed one raise in 7+ years (and think how much the economy has changed in this time) I related to Howard’s join-the-club sentiments.
Just a different view…

]]> By: lavasusan http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1875 lavasusan Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:53:51 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1875 Thanks, Capsun, by pointing out those of us state worker who do put in, as you and Blaine say, insane hours. I put in a full day at work teaching and administrating, and then frequently work into the night. If I don't come into the office on Saturday and/or Sunday, I work from home at least part of the weekend. And no, I don't get overtime - just a flat salary. Thanks, Capsun, by pointing out those of us state worker who do put in, as you and Blaine say, insane hours. I put in a full day at work teaching and administrating, and then frequently work into the night. If I don’t come into the office on Saturday and/or Sunday, I work from home at least part of the weekend. And no, I don’t get overtime – just a flat salary.

]]> By: Saddle Road Improvement Update,Hawaii County Internet Usage Abuse Is A Scandal,Unionized Government Workers Should Not Be Excluded From Feeling The Budgetary Pain « The Kona Blog http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1874 Saddle Road Improvement Update,Hawaii County Internet Usage Abuse Is A Scandal,Unionized Government Workers Should Not Be Excluded From Feeling The Budgetary Pain « The Kona Blog Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:00:26 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1874 [...] I don’t doubt Capsun works his tail off at his state government job.Thus in a way I can understand a lot where he is coming from. However on the flip side it is not [...] [...] I don’t doubt Capsun works his tail off at his state government job.Thus in a way I can understand a lot where he is coming from. However on the flip side it is not [...]

]]> By: Christina http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1873 Christina Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:37:46 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1873 Excellent post! I believe by and large most people are hard workers. The grass just always looks greener and easier to mow on the other side. Thank you for speaking up for the hard-working, dedicated, and cash-strapped (even prior to the budget crisis/emergency) state workers. Excellent post! I believe by and large most people are hard workers. The grass just always looks greener and easier to mow on the other side. Thank you for speaking up for the hard-working, dedicated, and cash-strapped (even prior to the budget crisis/emergency) state workers.

]]> By: Thom http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1872 Thom Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:51:52 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1872 When are you going to run for a political office? We need you in there...YIKES I'm saying that to a liberal democrat LOL I think you and Blaine did excellent both with the post and the comment. It is sad that so many people think State Employees are lazy. As in any business, there are the few that spoil it for the mass. In some respects we bus operators get negative and nasty comments also...all you do is drive a bus...my response...you try it sometime. I don't know if these furlough's are the right thing to do but I can't think of any other solution. Tough situation my friend, but as I've said before, with people like you and now that I read Blaine's comment, on the horizon, there is hope for our future :) Aloha When are you going to run for a political office? We need you in there…YIKES I’m saying that to a liberal democrat LOL I think you and Blaine did excellent both with the post and the comment. It is sad that so many people think State Employees are lazy. As in any business, there are the few that spoil it for the mass. In some respects we bus operators get negative and nasty comments also…all you do is drive a bus…my response…you try it sometime. I don’t know if these furlough’s are the right thing to do but I can’t think of any other solution. Tough situation my friend, but as I’ve said before, with people like you and now that I read Blaine’s comment, on the horizon, there is hope for our future :) Aloha

]]> By: quilly http://capsun.org/2009/06/08/in-defense-of-state-employees/comment-page-1/#comment-1871 quilly Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:46:54 +0000 http://capsun.org/?p=1982#comment-1871 When balanced against the cost of living index, Hawaii is the lowest paying state in the nation for teacher's salaries. The same is true of their government employees. Do I know how to fix the problem? No, but I'd be willing to vote for someone who does. When balanced against the cost of living index, Hawaii is the lowest paying state in the nation for teacher’s salaries. The same is true of their government employees. Do I know how to fix the problem? No, but I’d be willing to vote for someone who does.

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