Gov. McDonnell: State employees first raise or bonus since ’07
By Brian Kirwin | Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 | PolicyGovernor Bob McDonnell announced that full-time state employees will receive a 3% bonus today, the result of a “cost-cutting dividend” and successful economic development.
Instead of spending every last dollar down to zero, state agencies were given this incentive to save money.
State employees and agencies saved $174.7 million, earning this bonus totaling $82.2 million.
This is a conservative approach to government, far different from the Tim Kaine years where the only solution was raising taxes.
McDonnell, and all hard-working state employees, should be commended for focusing on cutting wasteful government spending, and allowing employees to reap part of the dividend is a fantastic approach that should be adopted by all levels of government.
This is a one-time bonus, but if this is the result, this is an incentive that should be repeated. Anyone who says that the only solution to government revenue shortfalls is a tax increase needs to see the work McDonnell is doing to make sure the dollars already spent are spent wisely.
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About the author
The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.
Comments
5 Responses to "Gov. McDonnell: State employees first raise or bonus since ’07"
Agreed, Brian. I hope we can see localities start doing the exact same thing. I know we could definitely use that kind of a program in Fairfax.
Too bad the governor was lying about balancing the budget and about the so-called savings.
http://tertiumquids.blogspot.com/2010/07/in-which-governor-mcdonnell-lies.html
James, the existence of the balanced budget and the savings are not lies. The exist.
You can argue all you want about whether he did it with or without tax increases, but calling him a liar goes way too far.
I’m happy to see the employees get this increase. It is the least McD could do considering he failed to fund the employees retirement fund by 620 million…
If cities followed this example, the state retirement fund would be even more underfunded. So please don’t tell me we balanced the budget when all that happened was the VRS fund bill was passed down the line for future payments begining in 2013. That my friends isn’t the way to run/fund an organization.
Anyway congratulations to McD & Co. for providing the 3% increase.
The incentives for cutting costs are a good idea. However, this bonus is still not possible without the “surplus” created by counting July’s sales tax collections in FY 2010 instead of FT 2011. And, of course, raiding the pension fund. Not that I’m complaining, I’m married to a state employee and this makes Christmas a little better.
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