January 9, 2010
Communicating the Wrong Message
How can a struggling Rhode Islander not shake his or her head every time this subject comes up?
The [Emergency Management Agency] EMA, charged with cutting $200,000, was struggling to meet the figure because the agency had gained an employee from, of all places, the governor's office.Steve Kass, the former radio talk show host who later served as the governor's communications director, became the EMA's communications coordinator in the spring of 2008. At the time, a Carcieri spokesman said Kass was being loaned to the agency, but the governor's office continued to pay half his salary until September of this year, when the full cost was transferred to the EMA.
Todd Tinkham, chief financial officer for the adjutant general's office, estimated the cost of the position at $100,000.
Sounds like the EMA has a high-cost employee that it's not empowered to lay off. Just like Rhode Island, isn't it? However dedicated we are, individually, to the welfare of the state, our own cliques always come first, even to the extent of six-figure salaries. I know; I know; government is really public service.
Wow, Kass took a major pay cut to work in the public sector. Hope he writes a tell-all book about it when he's done.
Posted by: Tim at January 9, 2010 8:25 AM[Still banned. --- JK]
Posted by: George Elbow at January 9, 2010 9:00 AMThe governor has had eight years to change things. This Steve Kass thing is just another small indication that he has no will or real desire to change anything.
Like those who came before him Don Carcieri is sadly a part of the problem not the solution.
More hamburger helper for the masses.
SV
Posted by: Sol Venturi at January 9, 2010 12:19 PMWe shoud do a comparison between Gov. Carcieri and Sol's heartthrob Steve Laffey on job performance, i.e. # of broad based tax increases during their terms, % decrease in state vs city employees during their terms, number of union contracts negotiated w/a listing of union givebacks in those contracts during their terms, e-verify vs consular cards and the significance of both for law enforcement, pension reform during their terms, etc.
Gov. Carcieri has done a damn good job under some really lousy circumstances and conditions.
As you can see by the Sol's of this world the Gov has gotten more than one knife in his back from "real" (LOL) Republicans over the years.
Let's compare these two men on job performance and finally destroy the "myth" that is Steve Laffey.
Tim, I look forward to reading your comparison. When do you anticipate publishing it?
Posted by: BobN at January 11, 2010 3:51 PM