It’s Not That Difficult - Just Say No
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 12/3/09 @ 2:56 pm - Filed Under City Council, Featured
The city council passed a budget with a 1% increase for city employees after giving approval for some unionized public safety employees to receive raises of 1.5%. the administration brought the union contracts to the council table prior to the budget hearings and I think it’s quite obvious that their strategy was to pass the public safety increase before the budget in order to gain leverage towards getting the full 1.5% for all employees. That’s why you heard arguments like “if we treat non-union employees differently then they will be more likely to unionize.”
It didn’t look like their strategy fully worked but now key councilmembers are considering changing their minds:
The vote could signal a chance for all city employees to recoup the lost half-percentage point raise. Council President Tom Smith, R-1st, said he has begun to reconsider the raises, especially after supporting a $550,000 lifeline to the fledging Public Safety Academy.
“I think that’s something we’re going to have to take a look at,” he said regarding giving all employees a 1.5 percent raise in 2010.
Somebody stop the madness. Of course city employees want more money - who doesn’t? And the majority probably deserve it but the only way to give them more money is to take it from people in the private sector who already make less than their government counterparts and who are facing 11+% unemployment.
There is no other option. Government does not always need to grow year after year regardless of the economic circumstances. When times are tough government should downsize (or reduce expenditures) like everybody else. When the experiences economic growth via increased revenues then raises can be better. Here’s another bit of faulty logic in my opinion:
Because raises are unlikely in 2011, Goldner said it is important to give the raises when the city can afford it.
If your employer was going to cut your pay by 5% next year would you run out and spend all your money now “while you can afford it”? Of course not. And you certainly wouldn’t buy things that commit you to higher costs year after year. A raise this year still has to be paid next year does it not?
Didier and others had it right the first time around - there should have been NO raises whatsoever. You mark my words right now - this administration has no desire to cut expenditures when revenues decline. I guarantee that they will push for an increase in the income tax to offset the structural problems they face with their budget. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life…
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“Somebody stop the madness.” - Jeff Pruitt
Indeed, perhaps start with the Public Safety Academy subsidy. How many bad Graham Richard projects that do not support themselves is Fort Wayne going to continue to subsidize?
What does keeping the public safety academy afloat have to do with city employee wage increases? Oh, maybe two wrongs make a right. It’ll be three wrongs when the mayor comes after his income tax hike.
Jeff, I could not agree with you more. I seem to recall there was a candidate with a slogan “Just say no” with a big circle/slash through several different programs.
We are so hosed. Good luck to those who attempt to shed light on a true problem and also to those who run for office to make true changes.
Not to mention Richard will have received another $90,000 plus this year.And he maintains an office in the building.And the buildings services are duplicated many places in the area with the exception of a few.The city will not touch that building as a tribute to Richard until Henry is out of office.