Free Republic

Reporting from Sacramento - Even as the state grappled with a budget crisis last year, bureaucrats spent nearly $45 million on new vehicles, almost $30 million on new furniture and more than $2 million on off-site meetings and conferences, a legislative panel has found. The expenditures were outlined in a report released Monday by the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review, which plans to call on state agency managers to explain their spending at a hearing Wednesday. "These expenses came despite an executive order from the governor last year for each state agency to cut costs and eliminate vehicle...

Herman Miller cuts 255 more workers Monday, March 10, 2003By Rob KirkbrideThe Grand Rapids Press ZEELAND -- The worst for Herman Miller Inc. was supposed to be over, but the office-furniture depression that shows little sign of easing is expected to cost at least 255 workers their jobs at the Zeeland-based furniture company. The Press learned today that Herman Miller is preparing to announce that 140 to 150 white-collar jobs are being eliminated and 115 production workers laid off in response to the sluggish economy and threat of war that has kept furniture buyers on the sideline. A Herman Miller...

Steelcase drops dental coverage for its retirees Tuesday, July 23, 2002By Rob KirkbrideThe Grand Rapids Press Like a toothache that will not go away, rising health-care costs and slumping office-furniture sales are forcing Steelcase Inc. to make deep cuts in retirement benefits. Among the most significant is the elimination of dental coverage for the 2,400 retirees. The Grand Rapids-based company mailed letters Monday to current and former employees explaining the move, expected to save at least $9 million a year from the company's annual $30 million health-care budget for retirees. Steelcase also is increasing medical-care deductibles from the $50 to...