All of which makes this item from the Post & Courier of Charleston special:
Gov. Nikki Haley wanted the state to nix funding for ETV, but that hasn't stopped her from using the station's services.
ETV provided lighting for the governor's television interviews Monday, despite the fact that Haley vetoed funding for the public educational broadcaster. Lawmakers later overrode the veto.
One imagines a soused lout, after beating a bony dog, instructing the poor animal to come and show affection. Or a vicious overseer, having berated a slave, demanding happy subservience. The malevolent parent requires tribute after lashing out at an child. The metaphors continue, all illustrating hypocrisy, meanness, arrogance.
"We have never said that ETV is not a good service to have," Haley said. "What we are saying is, if we use ETV they should bill us. We should pay them. To give them $10 million on a line item just because is wrong. To give them payment for services rendered is the way that we should have them in state government. That's what we fought for from the beginning. That's what we will continue to fight for."
So, did the governor's office pay for the ETV crew?
"I think they should be very happy," Haley responded. "It looks like they got $10 million this year, so once again we will go back to watching them get a lot of money and not necessarily know the services that they give."
Notice how Her Excellency framed the issue so as to beg the question, then dodged that question.
Her inconsistencies draw attention.
S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian said the action was typical Haley.
"It suits Nikki Haley to say one thing and do something else," he said.
Privatizing the school bus fleet will accomplish a number of things.
ReplyDelete1) The Governor will be able to keep a campaign promise.
2) The Governor will be able to reward her campaign contributors.
3) The Governor will be able to cut 465 employees out of the Dept. of Education and take credit for reducing the size of government.
So far so good????
Here's the rest of the story.
1) The contractor will no hire all the current employees forcing many onto the unemployment role at the TAXPAYERS expense.
2) The buses will be SOLD so we can get those NEW buses the contractor is offering. Once the bridge is burned there is no going back.
3) The 30% profit that "for profit" contractors need to make it worthwhile will come from the employees benefit package....there will not be one....a dollar more per hour but no benefits.
4) The costs of contracts will rise each year.
5) The state will pay a fixed amount for student transportation to each district....it will never increase.
6) All increased costs of student transportation will be paid by the districts.
7) If a district should fail to follow every line of the contract, the contractor will take the district to court further driving up district costs.
But all of this is OK.....do you know why?
Because school districts can raise taxes every year to pay for it...no matter how much it costs.
Ask the people of Charleston County. Cost before bus routes and drivers were privatized: 4 million dollars per year. After privatization: 8 million dollars per year.
TAXPAYERS GET READY TO PAY!
Have you contacted your legislator yet?