Departing Democrat Iowa Governor Gives Unions $100 Million Parting Gift At Taxpayers' Expense

from theblogprof by The blogprof


Departing Democrat Iowa Governor Gives Unions $100 Million Parting Gift At Taxpayers' Expense: "I have railed against term limits here in Michigan for elected representatives of the people for two good reasons: 1) since term limits were put in place, things in Lansing have gotten worse, not better; and 2) there is nothing more dangerous than a lame duck. Lame ducks can turn into mad ducks in the blink of an eye. Case in point today is departing Democrat Governor of Iowa Chet Culver. From The Des Moines Register via drudge: Culver OKs state pay raises

Gov. Chet Culver's administration agreed Friday to offer pay increases for state employees that will cost taxpayers more than $100 million, despite Republican requests that the decisions be delayed until Terry Branstad becomes governor in January.

That's just in the first year. Iowa taxpayers will swallow a whole lot more in subsequent years.

A Branstad spokesman called the deal 'reckless,' and House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen said it would likely lead to layoffs.

The unions are throwing a party where taxpayer money will be thrown into a big swimming pool and members will be invited to swim in it like Scrooge McDuck:

...Union members will formally meet to accept or reject the state's offer later this month, but Danny Homan, president of Council 61 for AFSCME, said: 'In my mind, this is done.'

Gee - ya think?

The wage hike plan would give members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, better known as AFSCME, a 2 percent across-the-board increase for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and another 1 percent raise the following calendar year on Jan. 1, which is what the group had requested. This 2- and 1- percent increase, under the contract, would be given in each of the next two contract years.

In addition, many union members who are not at the top of their pay grade would receive an additional 4.5 percent raise, known as a step increase, for certain professional milestones or for job longevity and other career advancements.

'The state accepted the union's proposal,' said Homan. 'I believe that probably ends this process.'

Iowa is one of only 6 states to offer absolutely 'free' health insurance to state government employees and their families. They have spared no expense. Tack on lower out-of-pocket health costs, such as deductibles and office co-payments, than private-sector workers, and what you have here is a racket against Iowa taxpayers.

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