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Today's Poll!Nixon job-cutting proposals largely on track
Missouri budget ready for conference committees
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Gov. Jay Nixon’s budget plan for state government’s 2011-12 business year contained no pay raises or benefit changes for state employees.
And it proposed cutting another 800 jobs from the state’s payrolls.
State Budget Director Linda Luebbering said last week all three of those areas are on-track as the Senate and House get ready to hold conference committees on the budget bills they have not, yet, agreed on.
“The job changes are fairly consistent with the Governor’s recommendations,” Luebbering said, in an e-mailed response to a reporter’s questions. “The House appears to be about 40 positions below the recommendation and Senate about 70 below.”
Nixon had proposed a full-time-equivalent workforce of 56,550.86 — an 800-job reduction from the current business year’s budget.
State employees’ pay and benefits will remain unchanged for a third year.
“I sympathize and empathize,” Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, said Friday. “But Missouri cannot print money.”
Freshman Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, had promised at the beginning of the session to try to convince colleagues to give state employee pay raises and to protect state workers — especially those in Mid-Missouri — from facing more job cuts.
The pay raise idea went nowhere.
Marry Me
Comments
JCLifer 2 years ago
Funny, no money for even a little cost of living raise for state employees, but there is plenty of money for departments to reorganize so that they add several more $100,000 managers at the top levels than they previously had, and they can even promote employees and double their salaries overnight.
Seems like there is also plenty of money to increase corporate welfare and keep rewarding big companies for their campaign donations too.
Money makes the world go around, and this is expecially true in this administration.
3blindmice 2 years ago
Hey the gov never sees the light of day outside his circle of wealthy friends in the corporate community. when he talks all i hear is DERP!
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Well, someone is playing games with the number of State Employee's. According to the MAP or Missouri Accountability Portal there where 54,553 State employee's but now there Seems to be a goal of 56,550? Over a 2,000 job increase? I sure would like to know where the Governor and the Legislature get their numbers.
With all the computers and money spent by the tax-payer on technologies for our bureaucrats to play with you would think the tax-payer could see online exactly where their numbers are coming from. Oh, I forgot we are only the tax-payer and not the elite elected officials silly of me for asking for accountability!
My congressman is getting an email and I am demanding his source material.
bluesfan13 2 years ago
MAP doesn't include all state employees, only those paid through the normal SAM II payroll system. There are a couple of agencies who have federal funding who contract with outside payroll services, but whose employees are considered "State Employees" for budgeting purposes.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
True I did forget about that Bluesfan. Again that does prove my point in regard to the public's right to know this information and have easy access to it! Missouri is ranked as one of the top in use of computer technologies! It tends to make me believe that while State Web sites extol the productivity and how horribly busy every State employee is and break everything down by race, age, years of employment etc, like the true totals are a big secret!
gofish 2 years ago
I hope the legislature doesn't forget to subtract all of the state jobs they are eliminating from the so called jobs they are creating via corporate welfare. The numbers will be negative, just like our political leaders attitudes towards the very people that make government run according to the laws they enact. There are state employees so underpaid that they are financially eligibile for public assistance or are working part time jobs to achieve a meager standard of living. You may not be able to print money, but you sure decide where to direct precious resources...and that has been at the private sector which returns you nothing but campaign finances and perks from lobbiests. As for the average citizen government funding of the private sector comes at the expense of the citizen, whose jobs and services are CUT!
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Wait, Wait, government does no create one cent in real revenue unless it takes it from the private sector in the form of tax's. With that said, whether you work in the public or private sector "it is not how much you make its how much you save", remember, "wants" and "needs" as too many times the "wants" win out! If everyone in state government was so underpaid you tell me why every overpriced Chain restaurant, Longhorn, Chili's, you name it is packed every day of the week? Those darned wants are eating up a lot of money! Too many parents and adults have forgot what a cook-book is and how much savings can be derived from cooking at home. Is a 52" flat screen a real need, like that I-pod or that new laptop are they really needed? Sure everyone should save for some of their Wants but when all those luxuries eat up all disposable income it is up to the individual to CUT the spending and live within their means!
JCLifer 2 years ago
We are not talking about the welfare recipients going out to eat in their Escalades and Air Jordans and fancy jewelry and their I-Phone 4s.
We are talking about state employees who are #50th in pay as compared to all the other states, and who are paid about 30% too little as compared to the average state employee in other states.
wcywing 2 years ago
did you not say: "They have a choice. If they don't like the laws in Jefferson City, they should do what everyone else is told to do and just LEAVE." the people have spoken, by voting for the Gov and Legislature. they wanted these cuts. that being said, i do wish the gov and legislature would cut their salaries. i just don't see it happening.
JMO 2 years ago
Funny, I don't recall Nixon or any of the legislators announcing, "Vote for me and I'll do away with thousands of state jobs." I'm pretty darn sure I'd have not voted for them if they had done so.
wcywing 2 years ago
that is strange. but it is happening. but did they say vote for us and we will decrease gov spending? so who is worse, Jay, Matt or Bob as gov?
JMO 2 years ago
I've been asked that before and now, as then, I think I'll decline to answer. :-)
xhepera 2 years ago
Gofish, I really wish we could vote posts up here the way you're able to on some boards. :) You said it all.
3blindmice 2 years ago
missouri gave out more in corporate welfare this year than they did in raises for the people that slave over the work the state mandates
3blindmice 2 years ago
not important? what would happen if right now every single state worker walked off the job?
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
I have seen just how hard state workers work. Lets see Sherry comes in and passes out Avon Catalogs and talks to Mary about her order of lipstick. Josh sets in his office and pulls out the big chief tablet and draws house-plans and calls his banker and then the contractor, and somewhere in between notices a nice $30.00 package of Day-runner pages that he never put in his binder, that the state paid for, but is taking up so much room he pitches it in the trash! He then grabs some coffee and walks into mid-level Mary's office and she is busy jotting on her, state paid for calendar, all the vacation day's and a few more wasteful meetings she will chair next week, after snacks and the retirement party for Bob. Oh, well by then its 12:00 so Josh invites Mary to go to lunch at Yin Chings, to discuss what a busy morning they had and discuss the productivity meeting planning for the cubicle dwellers selling Avon, cutlery, home interiors, or face-booking and printing out copies of the last meeting. Somewhere in there Sherry processed a few vouchers for payment of some 60-day past due bills from private vendors of the State, that she had covered up with People Magazine and her crossword books. But the real kicker is while all three of these people need fired, as they leave for Lunch they fail to see Beth setting in her cube working away on the States business, making notes, working on a huge spreadsheet while looking on the other screen at a draft for the meeting the three loafers will be attending next week.
3blindmice 2 years ago
sounds like your in Jay's appointed upper management team. sadly yes they are lazy. and yes they do make several times what the plebes make.
3blindmice 2 years ago
that's ok 1 term Jay. I can work even slower. Heck I'm not doing anything but trolling right now from work!
3blindmice 2 years ago
omg is any other state working watching youtube right now. rwj is hilarious. "orphan tears"
jeffcitygirl 2 years ago
Be alert state workers, instead of officially "laying off" people, they are scanning computers and firing people for "personal use of state computers". Those of you who don't take the internet policy seriously (like most) have been warned.
3blindmice 2 years ago
let them. then they could try to run the network without me. Oh did I tell you it would take them a estimated 2 years to find a replacement. I could collect alot of unemployment in that time or go to the private sector and make 4x as much as the state pays me.
whocares 2 years ago
You really expect people to believe that you stay there when you could make 4x elsewhere?
3blindmice 2 years ago
are you ssh tunneling? they begged me not to leave. they said their last resort was hiring someone from india.
jeffcitygirl 2 years ago
I too thought I was irreplaceable. When I went so did all my knowledge. 10 year progressively upward career with no prior offenses - didn't matter. Stepped on wrong toes, my division got to eliminate a position and didn't have to look bad for "laying off"...trust me, it can happen to you. Don't make my mistake and take your career for granted. EVerything is gone, I ended up homeless and living with friends, no insurance for my kids...etc. The job market out here in the real world SUCKS!
3blindmice 2 years ago
yes they asked us to keep a eye out. hmm maybe I will get around to it next year sometime. HI JAY!
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Well, sounds like a state worker ignoring his responsibilities to enforce State policy. Maybe you should look for employment in the private sector. So don't forget to put that you ignored State policy and did not look for "personal use of state computers", while working in the IT department, on your resume. If you ignore State Policy with your attitude I would not hire you in the private sector either. Maybe you should just start you own business and see what its like when its your money and your employees waste it and ignore your rules! Bet you won't like it will you?
3blindmice 2 years ago
I'm just earning that raise I got for the last 3 years in a row. oh wait that's right. we havn't seen one in 3 years. Don't worry I'm earning our union wages. oh wait thats right we don't have a union
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
I wouldn't give you a raise either for that kinda of attitude. Oh, and unions that's exactly what is wrong with unions giving raises for incompetency disrespect for your employer and his/her (in your case governments) policies rather that whether you earned a raise though your personal merit! It is a shame your parents obviously did not teach you any work ethics.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Good, now start looking at their desks for all the crossword puzzle books, novels, People Magazine, raising baby, house plans, Avon, Home interior, catalogs. Oh, and how about all the personal Refrigerators hiding behind chairs and box's under their desks, along with the personal coffee pots that dot the landscape, along with the mini-microwaves, and even toasters hanging around. How much electricity do all these burn up at the tax payers expense? It is ironic since the break room in most offices is 20 feet away.
3blindmice 2 years ago
yes I can't understand if the prisoners they use in chinese factories don't need coffee pots then why do the plebes in state office buildings need them.
JCLifer 2 years ago
Prisoners in MO prisons have cable TV, free medical care covered at 100%, free education, free workout rooms, free meals, free housing, free haircuts, free clothing, etc.
JMO 2 years ago
You know, feel free to come search my office because I don't have even ONE of the things you've mentioned except a four-cup coffee maker, because the office doesn't have one. Our break room consists of two fridges and two microwaves - one was donated by a former employee and one we took a collection to buy. The toaster I donated myself about 5 years ago. No sink, we take dishes to the public bathroom. The "break-room" by the way, shares space with filing cabinets. No one hangs around in it because there's no space.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - state offices are no difference than any large corporate office. Some run well, some don't. Some workers are lazy, most are NOT. And guess what? Corporate offices have break rooms and coffee makers and the occasional romance novel to read on breaks.
Sorry if our work spaces are not dreary enough for you.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
yes, and there are exception to all situations. Dreary enough? Its called a job its not supposed to look like your house or have every creature comfort. Yes, I am aware that many do read on their breaks but a lot have nothing to do and "look busy" when they need to. Oh, remember one key point you work at the tax-payers expense not a corporation!
JMO 2 years ago
Funny thing is, I'm a taxpayer too! I guess that means I pay my own salary. You certainly seem to think I should work at my own expense.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
yes, you do pay tax's but there are more individuals working in the real world paying your salary. But, just barely, it just came out today 51% of all wages are made in the private sector. Guess where the other 49% get theirs? You got it transfer payments, wealth redistribution SSI Disability, government jobs. And, how long do you think that is going to last? When those riding in the wagon are more than those pulling it and that is coming real soon! Oh, don't forget you and all the other public sector, siphon off real earned income and that government creates no real revenue unless it takes it from someone who did!
JMO 2 years ago
Actually, the vast majority of my income is from the Feds. So it's the whole country's real earned income I'm siphoning off.
You sounded way more reasonable this morning. :)
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Oh, I am reasonable but that news did just come out today on the wage earners. I guess I should of put it in Quotes. But it is true if it tips the other way and more people in government, SSI, disability, EITC, etc. where will the money needed to fund them come from? To me that is reasonable to ask where will all this money come from if things don't change/reformed?
randolphcoread 2 years ago
State employees’ pay and benefits will remain unchanged for a third year.
It is not true that pay and benefits remain unchanged. Last year changes in the medical insurance resulted in substanstial pay cuts for any state employee who purchased the state medical insurance.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Bull, compared to the private sector co-pay you still have a gold plated plan! State Workers should be paying at minimum 20% of the premium and be glad they have the great insurance they do!
3blindmice 2 years ago
are we comparing to india or aghanistan?
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Look around blinder mice at other states? Missouri has one of the most generous retirements, and health care plans of all the states. A glimpse of reality would help. It is not the State employee's fault it is the Legislature that let this situation occur. These plans where implemented with little regard to future downturns, as if the party would never end and the tax's would just keep rolling in. Just like a business does when revenue is down markets change its time for the government to do the same no?
JMO 2 years ago
And we're paid less than any other state. Pay us more and we'll happily contribute more to the retirement and health care plans. To keep quality people, you have to either give them pay or benefits. We don't get pay and they're cutting benefits more all the time. At least you recoginze that we state employees didn't cause the deficit.
By the way, the retirement for all new hires require them to contribute and 80 and out has been changed to 90. So new people are getting both bad pay and fewer benefits.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
I knew that the 80 and out was now 90 and out. When you think about it though how many people, really, retired in the private sector at age 50. Seriously do you really think the private sector should fund a non contributory defined benefit plan employee for the next 30 years? Am considering you understand that all the state employees still under the 80 and out plan paid ZERO of their own money into their retirement. As I said before that is a great deal and it is not the employees fault but is that really something sustainable into the future? It was a gross mis stake our politicians created with little for thought into future economics or forward thinking reality. Another thing I am all for a pay raise and realignment of benefits for employees but, only if this state realizes they can do the same things with less people. I am talking middle management and upper management cuts big time. Why should some mid level bureaucrat push paper and ride a desk to manage as few as 6-10 people and make 60K-80K a year that is just wasteful. Get rid of them and then use some of that savings to give the ones setting in the cubes, paving the streets filling the pot holes, talking to the medicare patients, searching records in the archives, the real State workers a raise!
JMO 2 years ago
Well, I guess I misunderstood you a bit, because you sound much more reasonable to me now. :) Yes. I understand that I paid zero in retirement...not really, because there is also deferred comp that I do contribute too, but flat retirement, yes. That's where the "they don't pay enough so..." comes in. Where I get upset is when people start talking about taking that retirement I've worked for for most of my adult life away for that reason. I haven't put other money aside, largely because I expect that retirement money, so to not give it to me would be devistating. FWIW, to retire at 50, under 80 and out, you'd have to have worked for the state 30 years. I think there's probably a lot of companies that allow that, it's a huge chunk of service, don't you think?
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Yes, that is alot of service. I agree its not the workers fault. Our legislators are the ones who set this system up years ago. I just checked 17 of the Fortune 100 companies still offer a defined benefit plan. The rest have switched to hybrid forms such as the 401K. Also, just learned that State governments now have a total of 1.6 Trillion in pension liabilities that they can't pay! Some States rather than laying off employees are selling off assets, privatising departments, to pay the pensions. Scary stuff!
JCLifer 2 years ago
Dept of Conservation needs to sell at least half of the thousands of acres of land that they own. Why does the government need to own all that land anyway? They take this land off the market and it causes land values to increase so that the common working man cannot afford to buy any land.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
research on thousands of acres like what? Damage what Damage are you talking about? A lot of the land has been donated in wills and the conservation Department can't manage what it has much less obtain more. Also, when all this land is removed from the tax rolls where the heck do you think the money is going to come from to fund all this valuable research you speak of.....Air!
JCLifer 2 years ago
the Missouri Employees retirement plan is nothing compared to the GOLDEN Missouri Teachers Retirement plan.
Retire as a teacher in Missouri and you are good to go!
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Oh, yes I agree with that. Maybe its just sad that all of use where too complacent and busy with our lives to notice what our elected representatives where creating in the past that was not sustainable when times changed and or the economy took a major downturn. It is too bad we did not hold them accountable then for the bureaucracy they created.
wcywing 2 years ago
thats if you can survive baby sitting teenagers, little kids, survive the school administration, parents, et al.
bluesfan13 2 years ago
I don't think many corporate employees would give up their healthcare for the State's plan. Paying $400 a month and having a $1200 deductible for a family plan isn't exactly gold plated. It's not horrible by any stretch, but it's not out of line with larger corporations.
wcywing 2 years ago
i don't want the Governor's job, but what should he cut to have a balanced budget? it would be nice if he and the legislature would cut their salaries, but i don't see that happening. they better hope people start buying more alcohol and tobacco to help balance the budget. it does help that the cost of living here is low. i'm not sure if that helps with the job cuts though.
how hard is it to get a state job these days?
JMO 2 years ago
I think one of the things that upsets me is they cut people when there are other things that waste so much money. Can someone explain to me why, if I need an office chair, they can't go to Staples and get one on sale for $100.00, they have to order it from MVE and pay $350.00? They keep the buildings too hot in the winter and too cold in the summer. They replace perfectly good computers because the warranty is up...they say it's cheaper than buying a new service contract, but don't we have people on the payroll that know how to fix a computer? It used to make me crazy to see all the plantings every spring, but they've planted perenials at least and stopped that waste. I honestly believe they could save money other places. If it would save even one person's job, it would be worth it.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Wow, I agree with you 100%. Have you seen the cost of these computer service plans? They are 100's or thousands of dollars a year. Check the disbursements to Dell and IBM you would want to puke. I agree most of these computers are just fine and can be up-graded by the people already working for the state. I know it seems like a small thing but do you know how many 29.95 packets of Day-runner planner pages, never openned, $3.00 - $20.00 binders used once, and perfectly good file folders used only once, are thrown in the trash daily. And its funny the next day you see brand new file folder and binders by the case setting around in offices. Horrible Horrible waste. Really the Day-Planners and storage cases which are aprox $7.00 each are wasted and never used. They really should re-evaluate and up date who is really needing them and who is not and cut out the waste. I have also seen departments custom order wall calenders and desk top planners for employees at all levels grade 5 and up. They can get free calenders from the Mo Credit union and save money! I can't figure out why it is the state responsibility to furnish cubicle calenders that cost the tax-payer!
JMO 2 years ago
We agree? Looks like there is hope for everyone to agree on some point.
I never really thought about it, but I do get a desk calendar every year. It's nice to have. I like having a physical calendar to jot things down on. But I don't really need it and I can't imagine why any of my coworkers do. Funny, we cut corners all the time on things like file folders and such, buying the cheapest available, even if it isn't best suited to what we do, but they spend on that every year without a thought. I think I'll have to mention that when the 2012's come around.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Yeah I don't begrudge someone using a day planner if they use it but to just keep getting pages at $30 a pop and pitching them in the trash is foolish oh and some people that get them are using Lotus notes anyway for their planning purposes. Same with the binders I don't get it there at all. You should see the dumpsters sometimes they are full of perfectly good binders. Same thing with staplers nice desk top metal ones that I have looked up costing the state 15-25 each thrown away. I have looked and guess what a staple was jammed but rather than pull it out its pitched and a new one ordered. I am in just one office and scratch my head and get this....when someone leaves for whatever reason most of the left over supplies and desk accessory items are left. There is an area where about 5-6 staplers are (the Stapler corral) near a copy machine. but I walk by the secretaries desk and there are 2-3 brand new box's of staplers. Don't people look around?
JCLifer 2 years ago
While we are talking about cutting waste, how about getting rid of the Legislative Guidebooks that are printed and mailed at least once a year from the state representative and senator to all their constituents? Why do I need a book with pretty pictures of the capitol building, the state legislator, and the emergency numbers (911 - duh) to call?
Could also get rid of the monthly mailings from the attorney generals office about the Missoiuri No-Call. Why do I need to be reminded every month about this wonderful service that does not even block the political robo-calls? All this paper, printing, and mailing fees is a huge waste.
Yes, state government needs a huge enema, but the enema needs to start from the top down.
rmsberengaria 2 years ago
Yes, in deed top down. They did do away with the Blue Book. But, I hear they are wanting to bring it back for a fee, a private publisher wants to publish it for somewhere between $10-$20.
miltonwaddams 2 years ago
I told them if they move my desk one more time, then, then I'm, I'm quitting, I'm going to quit
JMO 2 years ago
Time to go...I have a meeting with the Bobs. :)
spelchek 2 years ago
Politicians have the only job where failing is rewarded with pensions, perks, per diems, staff, kick backs, and raises. No money for raises, but money for a train that nobody including the very politicians whom want it, will ride. But never fear, elections are coming next year and you can guarantee a measly cost of living increase will pass, and Mr. Nixon will be re-elected because some cannot see through the smoke and mirrors. Meanwhile more cronies will get $5,000 salary hikes; don't believe me, just look them up on the accountability portal. He seems to despise state workers, just not his.
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