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Contributors
Jon Coupal- Columnist
Jon Coupal
is an attorney and president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers
Association -- California's largest taxpayer organization with
offices in Los Angeles and Sacramento. [go to website] [go
to Coupal index]
 Nice
Work If You Can Get It
Freeloading's over...
[Jon Coupal] 12/2/04
There has been a new development since we last mentioned the
existence of obscure state commissions that have become a refuge
for the politically well connected in need of rest, relaxation
and a steady paycheck. For years taxpayers have been outraged
by this obvious freeloading at public expense. Now, some members
of these commissions are outraged, too -- although for slightly
different reasons than taxpayers.
Taxpayers were encouraged
when Governor Schwarzenegger announced his intention to "blow up the boxes." Such
a long overdue reorganization and streamlining of our antiquated
state government
structure could save Californians hundreds of millions of dollars
annually.
While not the most expensive items targeted for destruction
by the Governator, a number of boards and commissions that serve
little or no purpose have been especially galling to taxpayers.
That is because they have been routinely used for political patronage
and payoffs, while producing little of value to California residents.
Appointments to a
handful of these commissions, in particular, are the most sought
after positions in the state. This is because
the pay is more than $100,000 per year, the work is almost non-existent
and the only qualification is knowing a high-ranking official
in state government who owes you a favor. And let's not forget
another advantage to these positions -- you don't have to quit
your "day job."
Over the years, a Who's Who of down-on-their-luck politicos
and members of their families have been provided sanctuary on
these boards and commissions -- at one time, even a girlfriend
of then-speaker Willie Brown received an appointment.
Under the category
of poetic justice, it is now the members of these commissions
who are outraged. It seems they have been
told by the Schwarzenegger administration to (gasp!) report to
work. Said Rick Rice, assistant secretary of the Labor and Workforce
Development Agency, which issued the order, "We want a full
day's work for a full day's pay."
This means that Daniel
Zingale of the Agriculture Labor Relations Board, who earned
nearly $50,000 this year for political consulting,
and former Gary Davis press secretary Steve Maviglio of the Unemployment
Insurance Appeal Board, who earned $20,000 for his political
work during the same period, might have to "punch a clock." So,
too, will Janice Jamison Murray, wife of State Senator Kevin
Murray, who is appointed to the Workers' Compensation Appeals
Board. These, and others who have become accustomed to "working" from
home, will be expected to put in office hours.
Many of those impacted
by the state's edict are complaining that the Schwarzenegger
administration has no authority to order
them to work in their official office. However, Victoria Bradshaw,
the California Labor and Workforce Development secretary, believes
state law gives her the authority to provide general "supervision" over
these commissions and their workers.
Before everyone rushes off to hire lawyers, perhaps we can resolve
this dispute with a little common sense. Why not apply private
sector standards? Anyone curious as to what that standard is
can do a quick survey. Those who are not self-employed should
ask their boss what the consequence would be if they announced
that, beginning today, they would be working from home and that
they expect their paychecks to be sent promptly to their residence
until future notice.
Chances are, the boss's response would be that the employee
would be welcome to go home with no obligation to return -- ever.
In short, this private sector standard, where only a day's work
returns a day's pay, is equally valid for all those on the public
payroll. State commissioners who refuse to report to work, should
be Terminated -- with a capital T.CRO
copyright
2004 Howard Jarvis Taxpayers association
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