Rep. Greg DeVries voted against HB 175 several weeks ago. I have not asked him why, but I know why I do not support the bill, nor many other bills which expect additional taxpayer revenues. The State of Montana does not manage well the revenues they already have. Government rarely does, if ever.
I was a State of Montana employee for almost 18 years, until Riverside Correctional Facility was suddenly “temporarily closed for renovation” last October. Riverside is still not reopened and some former employees are still wondering if and when we will work there again. This peculiar handling of a State facility is nothing new. Does anyone remember the Legislature’s handling of Montana Developmental Center’s closing?
Yes, I thought you might.
If you are able to offer me examples of government doing something efficiently and cost effectively, please share. HB 175 includes pay raises for State employees. I would have loved a raise. The very sad fact is that our state government is inefficient, disorganized and run by at least some who are clearly not competent (or willing?) to make good fiscal decisions. (This is true for all 50 states as well as the federal government).
Why should we increase the salaries of Reginald Michael (Agency Head – Admin – Department of Corrections), who makes $53.27 an hour, according to transparency.mt.gov/ and Cynthia Wolken (Operations Manager – Department of Corrections), who makes $57.20 an hour? Perhaps, instead, they would be willing to display accountability for the questionable decisions at DOC they have been a part of – instead of having taxpayers foot even more of the bill.
As difficult as it may be to understand why some legislators would vote against legislation that contained pay raises for State employees, I believe it is the right thing to do.
I would be delighted to see some State employees get a pay raise. Many deserve it. But, until existing state revenues are correctly handled, let’s not give the State more of our hard-earned money. – Susanne Shultz, Boulder
