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Non-essential State Workers
AP News ^ | 1/24/2005 | THEO EMERY

Posted on 01/24/2005 9:20:21 AM PST by bibarnes

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney asked nonessential state workers in the eastern part of the state not to come to work, and Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri closed all state and municipal offices Monday. School closings were reported from Maine to parts of Virginia

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...


TOPICS: Government; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS:
Just wondering. If they are non-essential why are they still on the payroll. It isn't just Massachusetts, it is every state in the country. IMHO every one who was able to not come in because they were not essential should get a severance package and job retraining.
1 posted on 01/24/2005 9:20:22 AM PST by bibarnes
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To: bibarnes
Just wondering. If they are non-essential why are they still on the payroll.

I know you're trying to be witty, but "non-essential" means people who must be present to handle emergencies. It does not mean that people who could miss a day or two with a major catastrophe are completely useless. Many of them may actually be useless, but you're reading way too much in the specific phrase...

2 posted on 01/24/2005 9:22:34 AM PST by kevkrom (If people are free to do as they wish, they are almost certain not to do as Utopian planners wish)
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To: bibarnes
Just wondering. If they are non-essential why are they still on the payroll. It isn't just Massachusetts, it is every state in the country. IMHO every one who was able to not come in because they were not essential should get a severance package and job retraining.

"Essential personnel" are those required for public safety and maintenance of critical infrastructure.

3 posted on 01/24/2005 9:22:50 AM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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To: bibarnes
every one who was able to not come in because they were not essential should get a severance package and job retraining.

Just fire them, no severance, no retraining.

4 posted on 01/24/2005 9:23:37 AM PST by ChuckShick (He's clerking for me...)
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To: bibarnes

The posts show the great divide between the tax consumer and the tax payer. Want to guess who gets a government paycheck?


5 posted on 01/24/2005 9:25:43 AM PST by Iris7 (.....to protect the Constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Same bunch, anyway.)
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To: kevkrom
I guess it was a vacation day for all state workers.

Like most states, it will be no surprise if nobody notices that they were not at work.

6 posted on 01/24/2005 9:25:45 AM PST by chiefqc
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To: bibarnes

"Non-essential State Workers"

A redundancy?


7 posted on 01/24/2005 9:28:22 AM PST by Spok
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To: kevkrom

You are partailly correct. I happen to think that governemnt does way more than what it should be doing. If these people are not performing a task that can't be done by non-government workers they are essential (Cops, firefighters, judges, state attorneys etc.) On the other hand DOT, Social workers, food stamp coordinators etc. Should go find real work somewhere else where I can choose not to support them by shopping elsewhere


8 posted on 01/24/2005 9:30:11 AM PST by bibarnes (My mamma was a human, my poppa was a human therefore I am a human)
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To: Iris7
The posts show the great divide between the tax consumer and the tax payer. Want to guess who gets a government paycheck?

Well, I'm a tax payer, not a tax consumer. While I do contract work for the State Dept. (and therefore actually understand how the government operates), the funding for my project comes not from tax dollars, but fees paid by visa applicants (i.e., non-US citizens).

9 posted on 01/24/2005 9:30:15 AM PST by kevkrom (If people are free to do as they wish, they are almost certain not to do as Utopian planners wish)
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To: Spok
"Non-essential State Workers" A redundancy?

Hmmm - this issue needs further study. Refer this to the Department of Redundancy Department!

10 posted on 01/24/2005 9:32:01 AM PST by frithguild (Withdraw from the 1967 Treaty on the Exploration an Use of Outer Space - Establish Private Property)
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To: bibarnes

As an example for my department, "essential" would be the CBP officers manning the border. "Nonessential" would be the secretary, payroll person, etc.

It's not nonessential on a continuing basis, it's nonessential at that particular time. What they do can be put off for another day.

But you knew that. :-)


11 posted on 01/24/2005 9:34:39 AM PST by Not A Snowbird (Official RKBA Landscaper and Arborist, Pajama Duchess of Green Leafy Things)
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To: bibarnes
You are partailly correct.

No, I'm 100% correct. I readily agree that many government employees are useless, but you are still reading way too much into the phrase "non-essential". Using your examples of "good" government employees, a judge or state attorney is non-essential by the government definition because if their workload is put off for a day or two because of a winter storm or other problem, it's no big deal. However, at least some subset of cops and firefighters have to be on duty during the same situation, and therefore are essential.

Anyone who would normally be in a crisis-management position (such as 24/7 on-call) is "essential", everyone else is "non-essential", regardless of the value added by their position.

12 posted on 01/24/2005 9:35:39 AM PST by kevkrom (If people are free to do as they wish, they are almost certain not to do as Utopian planners wish)
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To: bibarnes

Welcome to the world of Hacks.


13 posted on 01/24/2005 9:36:52 AM PST by theDentist (Jerry Springer: PBS for White Trash)
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To: kevkrom

Useless employees are asked to stay home for ever.
Normally useless employees are related to someone in the legislature!


14 posted on 01/24/2005 9:38:07 AM PST by Holicheese (The Red Hat makes great mudslides)
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To: ChuckShick
Just fire them, no severance, no retraining.

I don't know where you live, friend, but it really is possible to be trapped by snow.

Three feet of snow of snow fell in Denver in a very short time a couple of years ago. Those of us who parked in our alley driveways (no on street parking) were trapped. As were thousands of others who couldn't get from their driveways to a plowed thoroughfare.

Add to that the Governor declared a state of emergency and wanted everyone off the roads so plows could be more effective. Almost all private businesses closed that day. One inch of snow closing down D.C. is one thing, three feet of snow is something else.

15 posted on 01/24/2005 9:58:34 AM PST by Gingersnap
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To: bibarnes

My mom works for John Hancock in downtown Boston.

Hancock told their workers that they were expected in today and if they couldn't make it they were to take a non-paid day or vacation.


16 posted on 01/24/2005 9:59:05 AM PST by VeniVidiVici (Got Gas?)
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To: bibarnes
Wisconsin will sometimes declare all state office buildings closed. The first time that happened a few years ago, we stayed home, assuming closed meant closed. The secretary of the Department of Administration later informed us the buildings were closed to the public and that anyone who stayed home would need to take vacation or other leave time. Our unions got some of the time back. Since then, the notices state VERY clearly that the buildings are closed to the public. My own rule of thumb is, if the buses aren't running, my car doesn't leave the driveway!
17 posted on 01/24/2005 10:23:47 AM PST by knittnmom
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: seamole
"Essential personnel" are those required for public safety and maintenance of critical infrastructure.

Isn't that the sole purpose of government?

In your view, yes. In others' view, no.

What do the other folks do?

Judges, for example, are not in that definition. Their work is important, but it may be safely delayed a few days.

Libraries are considered by most to be a public service. However, I do not view them as being so critical to public safety that they must remain open at all times.

19 posted on 01/25/2005 8:15:38 AM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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