CA: Gov.'s Use of Workers Criticized (think 'red ink' spigot photo op)

LA Times ^ | 3/26/05 | Peter Nicholas and Robert Salladay

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO — A corps of state carpenters and painters spent more than 51 hours on state time preparing an elaborate prop for one of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's public appearances, a practice that a watchdog group says is a misuse of government employees.

Promoting his plan for budget restraints, Schwarzenegger appeared at the state fairgrounds last month next to a 25-foot model of the Capitol, twisting a "spigot" to shut off a flow of "red ink" symbolizing the state's spending habits.

Half a dozen carpenters and painters prepared the model — hauled out of a warehouse for the occasion

--snip--

"You're wasting government resources to highlight the waste of government resources," said Larry Noble, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington. "That he's willing to have his campaign pay for it is an acknowledgment that this is really not appropriate for employees of the government." Their pay totaled $36 an hour, according to representatives of the California Exposition & State Fair, on whose grounds the event occurred.

All told, 15 state workers were involved in staging the governor's appearance, performing tasks that included washing the shuttle buses used to drive reporters around the site, Cal Expo officials said. The cost was $4,543.

The money will be reimbursed by one of the governor's campaign committees, the California Recovery Team, according to Cal Expo. The agency sent an invoice to the committee Friday.

Noble said state workers should not have been mobilized, even if Schwarzenegger picks up the bill.

--snip--

Rob Stutzman, Schwarzenegger's communications director, said the governor's appearance was a legitimate state activity.

"We could have had the state pay for that," Stutzman said. "He was talking about legislation. The fact that we're willing to not have taxpayers bear the cost is to our credit."

[NormsRevenge]

Imagine that. State employees .. sitting idle?

$36 bucks an hour,. Is that all?

A Real Bargain,, California workers do such good special effects work, too.

They've had lots of practice the last few years working for the c'Rats..

I especially like the efforts in 'The Bridge That Took Forever to Build' ..

[sure_fine]

Promoting his plan for budget restraints, Schwarzenegger California State Governor appeared at the state fairgrounds last month next to a 25-foot model of the Capitol, twisting a "spigot" to shut off a flow of "red ink" symbolizing the state's spending habits.

that would have bothered no one

[Che Chihuahua]

I don't much care for Ahnold, but the activity is a legit state activity. That pompous ass from the Center for Reprobate Politics should shut the f**k up and go after some real corruption. I'd like to see his list of donors for starters.

[ClaireSolt]

Picky, picky. this story must have been filed from a bar.