Posted on 07/26/2005 5:37:43 AM PDT by Born Conservative
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — One of Gov. Ed Rendell's cabinet secretaries said Monday she was "pretty upset" that lawmakers approved a raise for themselves in a state government budget that also cut benefits in medical care for the poor.
Estelle Richman, the state Public Welfare Department secretary, made the remark in response to a moderator's question at a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon in Harrisburg at which she was the keynote speaker.
Asked how upset she was about the situation, Richman responded, "I'm pretty upset still."
"I would like to have seen that some of these very drastic cuts that are very difficult, very hard, would have been returned to the budget," Richman continued. "I certainly don't believe that people should not have raises, but I believe that part of the business of a state is to make sure our most vulnerable citizens have their needs taken care of and I think we're leaving some people uncovered."
In February, Rendell proposed a 2005-2006 budget that made about $500 million in cuts to the state's $4.5 billion Medicaid program. Soon after, state revenue flows improved, prompting Rendell to ask lawmakers to use the excess revenue to restore some of the Medicaid cuts.
Lawmakers did put back about $140 million of the most controversial reductions, but others were left in place, including a limit of one annual hospitalization per year for about 100,000 adult Medicaid enrollees.
On July 7, the Legislature passed, and Rendell signed, a $24.3 billion state budget and a $16 million pay raise for themselves, judges, row officers and senior executive branch appointees, including Richman.
Lawmakers and judges defend the pay raises as a way to make their salaries commensurate with those of other public officials, such as school superintendents, or private-sector employees, such as lawyers. Rendell has said that the cabinet positions didn't pay enough to attract top talent.
The raises range from 11 percent to 37 percent. Richman would not say whether she will accept a 19-percent raise in her own pay to $153,085.
Ping
So, where do we begin?
1. Fire all the incompetents currently in office, and hire folks that deserve the higher wage?
or
2. Go ahead and pay the incompetents currently in office - more than they're worth ---- as usual?
You get two guesses, and the first guess doesn't count..
Semper Fi
Got to get this crook out of office people....I recieved a letter the other day saying that state medicare will pay for 3 of my 5 meds I have to take...guess which ones they are paying for....you got it....it cheaper 3 and I get to buy the most expensive 2.....living on disability has its faults and isn't all glory I can tell you that....
Semper FI back at ya!
ping
Anybody want to guess if she will accept the raise.
It seems pretty low to strongarm legislators into a disability tax on families with special needs kids by dangling a pay raise.
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