Rep. Crowell complains about state agency ‘extras’

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

When times are tight, state agencies should not be spending money on things like calendars, state Sen. Jason Crowell said Tuesday morning.

“When I arrived here the first day of session in this General Assembly, I think I counted nine calendars that I had received in the mail — from state agencies that are now going to (Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer) and telling him how broke they are!” Crowell told colleagues. “They’ve got enough money to print a calendar, but they don’t have enough money to educate a kid (or) do anything else.”

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The Cape Girardeau Republican specifically named the Corrections, Conservation and Natural Resources departments and the state Lottery Commission.

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Sequoia 1 year, 3 months ago

When times are tight, politicians should have better ideas about reducing spending than complaining about a calendar.

newone 1 year, 3 months ago

I think you missed the point, they are spending money on items which are not needed and it should stop.

Sequoia 1 year, 3 months ago

Like what items? Just calendars? Sounds like this pol walked into his office, saw a couple calendars, then called the press to get his name in the paper to make people like you think he's cutting out the waste. The waste here is that this pol sounds like a waste of space and time. The reporter should have said, "Call me back when you get a real idea that means something."

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

None of the agencies he named are in charge of educating children. Is Crowell smoking crack?

"the Corrections, Conservation and Natural Resources departments and the state Lottery Commission."

John 1 year, 3 months ago

Actually, ALL of those departments have programs that involve educating the public, including children. Crowell made a valid observation and a general statement that was exactly on the mark.

Sequoia 1 year, 3 months ago

But, if we're just talking about "educating the public" about the topic that the agency deals with, then wouldn't the calendars actually serve that purpose?

spelchek 1 year, 3 months ago

Every cell phone, PC, tablet, blackberry, etc...has a calendar built in. Maybe this money could be spent in the direction of 21st century "education" via a free app to download rather than using an antiquated medium such is the desk / wall calendar. Maybe they could hand out free rolodexs too.

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

I am sick of getting legislative updates, news letters, and directories all the time in my US Mail from state representatives and senators. There is never any new information in them, and half of it is just a redundant phonebook info that is easily available on the internet. Much of the text reads like campaign materials, but this stuff comes from the capitol.

This garbage is printed by the house and senate printing offices by state employees, and we have to pay for the US postage to deliver this trash. That is more waste easily cut.

FarCry 1 year, 3 months ago

Looks like this one has a lot to learn about state government. First of all Mr. Senator try going to Hastings or the Nature Center to see if you can get one of those Conservation Department calendars for free. Nice try though. Thanks for the laugh Gomer.

JCsleeper 1 year, 3 months ago

If the legislature had to give up its free cellphones, bottled water and coffee a coupke of years ago, you just know they would expect similar draconian measures from the executive departments.

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