What do you think of Budget & Control cutting another 3.73% from state budgets?
- BS, West Columbia:
Hats off to BS of Hopkins and LH of Columbia. Tell it like it is! Don't blame the state employees, instead blame the wonderful politicians that have been elected to office. Those are the ones to blame for the mess this state is in. I suggest that EM of Irmo run for political office such as Governor or legislator and get this state back in shape where everybody will be happy and he/she won't have to hear state employees whine anymore!! State employees have been forced recently to take holidays by our wonderful legislators that once were not mandatory. As far as being off on February 17th - if I had my choice I'd rather work that day but this is a holiday mandated by our legislature. Quit fussing about all the days employees get off. Fuss at your legislators. - gp, Barnwell:
All of us in America must cut back on our spending- 3 or 4 % now is much lesz than will be required if we put off cutting the budget later - FD, Irmo, SC:
I see that SC has made National news concerning the possible closing of the Governor's Mansion. More great press for this state! To reduce costs and keep from laying off state employees lets get rid of the higher salaries first! Directors, Department heads and etc.. Some of these salaries would really reduce the budget crunch! I wonder everyday where is all of this tax money going? I know what I spend in taxes on my home, car, groceries and everday purchases. It mounts up quickly. The state government needs to be audited! - dg, lexington:
my wife works for the state and she has had cut backs in her office as well as the rest of the state. she brings work home every day to stay in check with her work. she even bring work home on the ferlo days as well. if the people want top 100% work done they need to cut back on some of the pay raises that the top dogs make, i see no reason on pay raises on these top dogs that make $60,000.00 a year or more. this hurts our income as well as others that are suffering from the states mistakes. - DB, Bethune:
I think the state would have plenty of money if they would stop letting these people retire and come back to positons that they are making even more revenue. The way I see it is if you retire, you leave, no returning for an extra salary. It is pathetic what police officers make as it is. I am all for teachers but somewhere down the line someone has gotten the idea that police officers make mega bucks and do not need even a cost of living raise. - GH, Columbia:
Well, here is another response from one of those "po mouthin'", whiny state employees. I really wish all of these people, who complain about what state employees do, could work an average state employee's job for a year, and then try to support a family and just pay the BASIC bills (groceries, rent, electricity, water). With the average state employee's salary this isn't even possible on one income! And why should a state employee be entitled to a holiday off? Heaven forbid they have to do the workload of at least 2 to 3 other employees, due to manpower shortages, on the salary of ONE! Have you ever wondered why the Post Office has employees go "postal"? Also, have you ever thought not every state employee is off on the holidays? There are many employees out there who work on "holidays" and do not receive any additional compensation for doing so. If a person in the public sector were to have to work on a "holiday", they would probably be getting paid double or triple time to do so! Have you ever had to miss your son or daughters first Christmas, or have to skip Thanksgiving with you family, because you have one of the jobs that requires you to work on a holiday? So, why doesn’t a whiny employee like me just go out and get another job? Well, I DO, and I don’t work at least 12 hours a day… I work at least 17 hours (and sometimes as much as 20), at a minimum of 5 days a week! That doesn’t even include the fact that my state job requires me to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (and I often get phone calls at home at 3 or 4 in the morning because someone is having a problem). And you know what… even working 2 jobs, my combined salaries probably don’t equal that of what some of you make! When’s the last time you got a pay raise in you job? I have been with the state for 5 years now, and I haven’t even gotten as much as a 1% cost of living increase, let alone a merit increase (even though I have exceeded performance ratings), in the past 3 years! I bet you have gotten at least something! The closest I came to the word “raise” is when my insurance rates were raised in January! And for all those “leave early on Fridays”… I guess if you classify me working through my lunch many days, or working until 6 or 7 o’ clock at night (on the days I am off from my SECOND job), when I am suppose to get off at 5 pm, getting off early, then I guess I m guilty of doing so! So, if you feel us state employees have it so good, I (along with everyone else), welcome you to come join our ranks and take a walk in our shoes! Let’s see your thoughts then! - ML, Irmo:
I invite everyone to examine the reality of the current situation - When economic problems occur in the private sector, jobs are lost, companies are closed - everyone is forced to live within the budget provided. This rule is also true in all levels of government. The budget woes within South Carolina have caused job loss and diminished services at all governmental agencies. Based on the latest news, this trend will continue. The primary difference between how economic issues are dealt with in the private and public sector deals with the nature of the services and products provided. In the private sector, if one "widget" manufacturer fails, either a competitor steps up to fill the void or the product provided by the company was not viable in the market place and it simply ceases to exist. Accordingly, if the State Government fails economically, who is going to step up to provide essential services such as law enforcement, public infrastructure maintenance and education? Any citizen who claims that these services and products are not viable is either a fool or an anarchist. Just ask anyone who has a child, who drives a car or who has ever been the victim of a crime. I agree, there is historically overhead and waste in all bureaucracies (both government and corporate), but I also believe that the current budget crisis has rectified that situation during the last several budget cuts. Any approach to solve the budget crisis in state government must ensure that essential services continue to be provided in an effective and timely manner. The impact of the loss of these services is beyond any mere financial consideration. - TS, Sumter:
Budget cuts...wow...I thought that the lottery was suppose to help fund education. Ever since the lottery was voted on and passed, by us south carolinians we have had nothing but budget cuts that took from education. Yeah South Carolina...We beleived our government..and once again we pass the buck and blame to some one else. I mean really do you think there can be a 10 million jackpot and ...and... money for education and money to build New prisons....Get for real...we were suckered...and it is all Our The Voters fault...thank you - EH, Columbia:
Citizens, there are three reasons why the Budget and Control Board had to do what it did yesterday. One, our General Assembly spend one time money namely the Tobacco settlement money to fund on going programs which; cost the state money every year. Second the General Assembly cut some taxes without finding a replacement for the revenues that the state lost. Finally if you are for it or against it the lost of the video poker and all of the associated taxes that came with it (property, income, alcohol, licensing fees etc.) where greatly underestimated. Now we elect our General Assembly therefore we have no one to blame be ourselves on this matter. May be we should look beyond party and elect people who have common sense when it comes to planning a budget before this problem gets worse. I feel sorry for people because some will lose their jobs and others may lose their funding however this must be done for the greater good. Remember this next time you go to the polls. - DT, West Columbia:
LD of Columbia makes an important point. So many of the responses to this question are about finger pointing and name calling. But the fact is we all have a hand in the problem. We whine about long lines at the DMV, but at the same time claim the agency is over-staffed. We want everyone who commits a crime put away for the maximum sentence, but whine about the cost of police, courts and prisons. We want the best for our own children’s schools but complain that too much is being spent on education – at least on someone else’s kid’s education. In short, we seem to want as much as we can get for ourselves while paying as little as possible for it, and the rest of the world be damned. It’s human nature I guess, but it’s a very selfish attitude. Maybe it was even a useful attitude a century or so ago, but it doesn’t serve us well today. Have we forgotten that all those “useless, over-paid, space-occupying, thieving, incompetents” are people too? They and their children deserve a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their stomachs just as much as anyone else. And while I’m asking such questions, could it possibly be that someone else might see you (or me) as a “useless, overpaid, thieving, incompetent?” We are all in this together! And while many of us might like to pretend otherwise, we need one another! Very, very few of us could live like the pioneers of the 18’th or 19’th century. So let’s stop seeing one another as part of the problem and instead think of one another as part of the answer. - RH, chapin:
Over the last 6 years are so, the ledgislater and Governors have mandated policies and used onetime money (like tobacco settlement) to fund the policies for one year. There after the policies are in place but there is no money to fund them. They added addition pharmacy payments for children without insurance and in poverty. The analysis the cost was done on children in the system then but the social workers were mandate to search out qualified children and add them to the program. That nearly broke DHHS budget in a good year. With so many out of work and adding more to the unemployed this program has increase in qualified children but no increase in state funds. State employees get 12 days of where the average for businesses is 10 days. The State empolyees that do the work are paid far less than the private sector for the same job. When DHHS's budget was bigger, the agency employed a lot of Wellfare people as temps to get them off the Wellfare. There are long time employees that are waiting for retirement and not performing,but you can not get rid of them because the state has a seniorty system that say if a Supervisor is let go, he can take one of the people with less years of employement job. This go on until you get to someone that has no seniority. I want to know what the ledgislators are doing to trim their budget? The only thing that will help is new companies coming in to pay taxes and employ people to pay taxes. In the last 3 to 4 years we have lossed over a 1000 job in the Columbia metro area that paid $60,000 or more. I am not a state work. I was unemployed for 9 mos contributing to the lack of taxes to cover the state budget. - CT, Orangeburg:
I think the budget cuts are a joke. When I see our legislators being reduced in number or taking substancial salary cuts, then I will be convinced we have a real problem. Until then, we are whistling in the cemetary. - cw, WEST COLUMBIA:
the state should be run like any other buisness.if you dont have the money you cant spend it. some of these state jobs are very high paying jobs for doing a little bit of nothing. the theives are running the bank. the bottom line is if you dont have it you cant spend it.that is how my budget at home works. it is very simple cut the budget thanks - BS, Hopkins:
To answer EM-Irmo and all those others who are "sick of hearing state employees whine"...Yes, I am one of those overworked, underpaid state employees. I support myself, son and husband, who is disabled, on a yearly salary of $18,000/year. I am also attending night classes to improve myself for which I must pay $750/credit hour out of my pocket (no freebies here). I also must pay household expenses, etc. Now, as far as being overworked, you bet I am. I go to work every morning from 8 - 5 with no lunch hour because our agency has cut the staff from 500 employees to less than 200. But, you the public, still demand the same quality services and care as you did when we were fully staffed. We also must put up with insults and abuse from the public because we are state employees and get big bucks. Well, I for one am tired of the public demanding higher and better quality services but think we are millionaires and do not need time off for anything. For your information, we get 11 paid holidays a year...however, some of us must take work home to complete during these "holidays" to make sure that you the public get the proper care. I work many overtime hours and see no compensation in return. Congratulations, EM and others, I just may have to join you on welfare or other public assistance because this poor, overworked, stressed out state employee has had it with the grumbling and whining from the public who think my job is highly paid and glamorous. At least I am working and can support my family, which is more than some folks are able to do. Get off the state employees' backs... - DC, Columbia:
I've always wondeered why isn't there forced or mandatory retirement for governemental employees, especially if you are over 28 years, the military did it in the 1990's. Also if we want the budget we had years ago, bring back video poker. - PR, Lexington:
SC isn't the only state with this problem, the others are in budget trouble also. You asked for a consevative goverment, you got it. Remember that at the gas pumps, the next time you buy food anytime you buy or pay for anything. "The Rich get Rich and the POOR Get Poorer." Thank You conservative citizens (puppets). - MG, Columbia:
In my defense, I DO work at least 12 hours on most days as I have 2 jobs. I don't sit around and whine about not getting a raise. I go out and do what I have to do to support myself. I have friends that work for the State and they are the whiniest, most "po mouthin'" people I have ever met!!! If you can't make ends meet with your current job, then either get a higher paying job, or work two. Better yet, disconnect the cable (gasp!), disconnect call waiting, caller ID...do what you have to do. Just STOP complaining! - MJ, Columbia:
I just shake my head at all of the fools who blame Hodges for the economic mess we're in. Granted, he sure didn't help our situation. But, excuse me. Who gave the approval for getting rid of the multi-billion dollar enterprise (video poker) that has absolutely crippled the state's economy? It wasn't Hodges. It was Beasley. So, think again.And, for MG and EM, stop your foolish rants already! Perhaps you might feel some compassion for many of the teachers and other state employees that could possibly be laid off. Then again, apparently to you, they don't have a life. They should just work every day of their natural born lives. Please! Oh, and for the record, some state employees have to work on President's Day because of the snow day. Get your facts straight! - LH, Columbia:
Why does some people only want to get their claws into slamming state employees? I personally have seen a lot of good from these overworked staff members and I have had alot to be thankful for! Some services I hope most of the general public will never need but the fact remains that someday you may just need them and all of those services that were once offered are gone in a puff of smoke..Then where will you be?? Yes, you will be paying for it even more so out of that pocketbook! If you want holidays..check yours versus the states and you will find it compatible in the long run. I know my office is closed on good Friday but the State is at work..etc.. You get the picture! Leave them alone!! Blame the management and mid managers for the spending crisis..Blame them for taking outrageous trips..The little guy back at the office is working..Think about it! You know it is like that no matter where you work and the State Government is no different.. All business travel out of state that is not mandantory training should CEASE.... - KG, Irmo:
I am sick and tired of politican's taking from others and pocketing more for themselves. Is there no one in our government (state or fed) that will have the guts to stand up and speak for our children who cannot fight for themselves. The politicans, well criminals, lets call them what they are, and for once do something beneficial for this state, instead making us the laughing stock of the country. Havent the politican taken enough from our children? They could care less unless something happens to one of their children or family members, then the problems are of importance. - JH, NORTH CHARLESTON:
It is time for all governments to stop the tax and spend and live within their means. This goes for local, state and federal levels of government. How much more can the poor taxpayer stand? The public has allowed elected officials to get us into this mess and no one is doing anything about it. There is obviously something wrong when the population of the state is higher than it has ever been, and growing, and yet we have far less money to run necessary programs. What is up with that?? As far as Mark Sanford, what a pitiful joke. This thing concerning the governor's mansion is nothing more than a political stunt, much like the ones he has already done, ie, the Orangeburg Massacre thing and asking the "Reverend" Joe Darby to give the invocation at the inaugural.. any secret as to what he is doing?? As far as I am concerned, the jury is still out on old Mark. On another front, my child goes to college, had she chosen to go to S.C.State University or Benedict or somewhere such as this, she could have gotten assistance, but since she decided to go to a school where she could get a quality education, old dad has to foot the bill, nothing wrong with that but this is just another example of wasted taxpayer money, It is past time to wake up in South Carolina.. We are in trouble. - EM, Irmo:
If I hear one more overpaid, under-worked state employee whine about the cuts, I’m going to scream. I would like them to consider all the “holidays” they have, all the “leave early on Fridays” they have, and teachers, for crying out loud, who baby-sit until 3 or 4 o’clock and have three months of paid summer vacation! I keep hearing the complaints, but yet if I enter a state agency, I see numerous employees doing nothing but taking up space. When my company was hit hard with an economic downfall, we took appropriate action to increase output while trimming time & expenses. That is common sense economics. Jim Hodges obviously had no common sense. I see that he was just sooooo concerned about our education, that he found a job in North Carolina! What a sorry loser and excuse for a human being he is. I would also suggest cutting out the freebies to the chronically irresponsible who refuse to educate themselves and get a job, or fraudulently use so-called disabilities to keep from having to work and pay their share of taxes. I’m sick of my hard earned money going to these jokers! - LD, Columbia:
Blame, Blame, Blame. When I read these responses that's all it seems people want to do. I say there's plenty of blame for both sides of the political fence for why we're in this mess. Don't forget the Legislature has been under Republican control for the last year and everyone knows the Legislature really runs this state. So quit blaming and start asking what have our legislators proposed so far this session to fix the mess we're in? Nothing that I can find in the filed bills other than the creation of a new state agency (DMV). They could fix that agency if someone had the nerve to suggest that you pay $5.00 a year for a license instead of $2.50 a year. Most inmates can't read or write and they want them to answer the phones? Is this really a legitimate proposal for good government? How can legislators propose these things with a straight face? What we need is a strategic plan that identifies the critical functions of state government and then set the bar on what we're willing to pay to accomplish an acceptable level of those functions. PM put it more eloquently than I ever could --what have the legislators done except exacerbate this situation by playing politics? Across the board cuts simply evidences a lack of courage on the part of our legislators to establish priorities. They just want to be all things to all people (or at least those who vote!) - LP, Lexington:
Well, lets see...we haven't given our state employees a true cost of living raise in over ten years, we're cutting staff and services left and right (to include DHEC, Dept of Corrections, Public Safety, and a host of other vital things), the short staffing is stressing out the employees who are "fortunate" enough to remain, and now the Governor's Mansion may have its budget slashed...All I can think is, "Isn't it great that we got rid of that evil "Video Poker" and the millions of dollars it pumped into the state's coffers?".....or was it really as evil as we perceived it to be? - RC, West Columbia:
Under no circumstances should the Budget be cut at SLED, the Highway Patrol or at the Dept. of Corrections because they perform public safety for all South Carolina citizens. - DM, Swansea:
With the slow economy, everyone is having to cut back. With the new information about the Governor's mansion budget, it makes you wonder...Could Hodges of managed our state budget better? My answer is MOST DEFINATELY! - AC, West Columbia:
After reading MG`s of Columbia tirade about State employees, i challenge him or her to work in the shoes for 12 hour shifts like the Correctional Officers have to do at the S.C. Dept. of Corrections. They are so short of Officers i am surprised that more of them have not been seriously injured, or God forbid, killed ! - ME, Pelion:
It's about time the government has to live like the people who finance it. - MG, Columbia:
I'm tired of hearing state employees whine and moan about being "stressed out", "fed up", "on the verge of welfare", blah, blah, blah. When private companies are under a budget crunch they simply cut back. It's Economics 101. I'm really sorry that some state workers will have to do a little extra work between all the holidays, vacation days, and weekends they get off. Perhaps state employees could work Monday on President's Day instead of getting paid for the day off. Stop complaining or find another job, PLEASE! - PM, Columbia:
The question is not about the Budget and Control Board passing on the budget cut percentage. The question is whether the legislative and executive branches can earn their keep. Are they ready to make the hard decisions? Driving around Columbia, one can hardly go two or three miles without coming up behind a car with a license tag that says something like "Licensing Board for Stand-Up Comics." Not only do we have a bunch of frivolous boards, but the members get too many frills. I have to pay for my license tag. It is time to reconsider programs that serve no more useful purpose; are preferential to specific ethnic groups; are welfare without accountability; are supplying services to non-state, non-tax-paying individuals; show no quantifiable return on the investment; benefit only one county or city disproportionately; and are politacally correct, but morally repleat. I do not advocate turning our backs on those who need charity. I am advocating that we fight policies in government that funnel monies and benefits to certain groups at the expense of the whole. I'm getting very tired of paying taxes to pay for benefits, not only that I enjoy, but enough for ten other chronically unemployed people. It's no wonder that our young people feel a sense of helplessness, when they realize that they are saddled with huge deficits from years of social welfare and greedy politicians. There are good politicians and public servants that constantly charge up the hill. These are times that level the hill. They, with our help and input, can make real headway in social and fiscal reform. We, as taxpayers, must support them and defeat their opponents. We must exercise our right and duty of franchise. - PS, Little Mountain, SC:
We can all thank former Governor Hodges and his cronies for the mess we're in! I just read where he spent the majority of the Governor's Mansion's budget before he left office! He should be ashamed of himself. I hope he runs his new consulting firm like he did the State; he'll be bankrupt before he knows it! Wake up SC and realize that the Democrats are idiots; all they know is spend, spend, spend and wonder why there's nothing left! - MT, irmo:
Obviously the strategies of SC's government has to change. I just hope that they make the cuts in areas that badly need the cuts not in the state worker's salaries. True there are probably many jobs that could be eliminated or combined but putting more people on welfare will only add flames to the fire. I would like to see less advertising and merchandise from the Dept. of Public Safety. I've gotten I don't know how many buttons and bumper stickers, pencils, erasers... you name it. And the tv ads are expensive as well. They have told us all WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT! They have made the law to write the tickets and notify the families when we don't. What, 8 last week. Either you will listen or you won't. My husband, my children and I won't let someone ride with us without saying "Make it click!" Word of mouth is free! I see parents leaving the school after picking up their kids and the kids are jumping around the back (or front)seat. But our state is constantly begging and pleading with us to just wear the darn seat belt. Our insurance rates will go down if that helps. And! there would be more law enforcement available to solve crimes and catch drug traffic. That is if our goverment doesn't see the opportunity to cut back the amount of enforcement since there would be "less need." I agree with Gov.Sanford's philosophy of helping ourselves first and keeping a watchful eye on the government to take care of business. That's what they are paid to do. If we don't like what is done then we don't re-elect those that didn't get it done. And don't forget...Make it click! (that one's on me) - JP, Sumter:
We have only to EX-govenor Hodges and the democrats to thank for this mess. Just like Clinton's criminals left the country's finances near total collapse, Mr Hodges and his drunk sailors spending programs has bankrupted the state. I can only hope the morons that voted the democrats into office see how stupid it was. The doctrine of the democrats is communism. Communism did not work in Russia and it will not work here. We need to vote all the communist democrats out of office. - BS, hopkins:
These guys have got to be kidding. Even a farmer knows you can't kick a dead horse to make it move. State employees can't afford any more stress by cutting staff and making it necessary for those left to endure the extra duties. Some agencies are stretched real tight now and are to the point that services to clients may need to be stopped. How much more can we be expected to take? - LB, West Columbia:
The Budget and Control Board has no option but to cut across all state agencies. Our state legislature is incapable of making the tough decisions, and our former Governor was incapable of doing anything. - DT, West Columbia:
Just as with our family budgets, so it must be with the state budget. If the money isn’t coming in then it can’t be paid out. Non recurring money (including borrowed money) cannot be used to pay recurring expenses. And if our general assembly cannot prioritize the cuts, then an “across the board” cut will have to be imposed. Bottom line: We have no choice but to learn to live within our means. - JP, Columbia:
I think it stinks. A lot of state employees are going to qualify for welfare. However, I hope the republicans who are in power have the guts to make the cuts across the board, and, do not borrow money to fund anything. Every dollar the politicians borrow and spend cost the taxpayers $8.00 to repay. Everyone should send former Govenor Hodges and the democrats a thank-you letter for the mess they created. - kc, west cola:
I'd like to know where all the money they're saving on budget cuts goes,, its funny how their raising taxes and cutting the budget, and never seem to have enough money for medicaid, so they want to raise the taxes on cigarettes too.. I just cant understand where all the saved money goes. - JJ, Chapin:
Nothing wrong with cutting, Gov't must learn to live within their means, same a business's and people.(with out tax increase) Now, if School Dist.5 lex/rich would learn to do same, before they tax us to poor house, if not aleady done so for some. - tf, Lake City:
Budget cuts across the board are necessary in a struggling economy. The next step is to look at each agency and cut wasteful programs out such as new sidewalk, landscaping projects at the highway dept. Workers that drive vehicles on personal business. Look at the mall parking lots for evidence. Most school homework centers are providing valuable babysitting for working parents. If the students can not "get it" in eight hours of schooling, do you really think that they will, by adding two more hours on. Education dept. needs to show test data on the teacher /principal specialists program. Is it worth all that it costs? How about cancelling PACT testing this year? or Downsizing? There are many areas that cuts could come without damaging the entire system. - VB, Leesville:
Taxpaying citizens can't spend money they don't have so why should the state government be any different? The sooner they stop trimming and start cutting the sooner they'll learn to live within their means.
