Accidental Governor At It Again
I’ve blogged extensively about New York State’s ‘accidental’ Governor, David Paterson. It appears he likes to make rules for others, while ignoring them for himself. At times it appears he’s making decisions in a bubble, or at least behind closed doors in either the Governor’s mansion or the Governor’s office. First he quickly moves on a budget after inheriting the office because his predecessor liked high priced call girls. In an effort to gain favor with New York State voters, he made a knee jerk reaction and passed something he didn’t have all the details on. Now, when the budget doesn’t balance, he decides to make across the board cuts.
Then, showing his ignorance of the New York State Constitution, the ‘accidental’ Governor Paterson decides to issue an edict from his office mandating that all governmental agencies and counties must start paying benefits to same-sex couples. Not only does this break the Constitution of New York State, which says “marriage is between a man and a woman”, but it also breaks the bank for many counties who are already over-mandated. The so-called mandated programs cost counties millions of dollars each year.
Now, the latest blunder by the ‘accidental’ Governor comes in the form of approving the hiring of a friend of his to a government agency. In the midst a budget crunch, and in the midst of calling for a “hiring freeze,” Governor Paterson apparently figures his “hiring freeze” words apply to everyone else, but not him.
Earlier this week it was announced that a former Assemblyman from Queens has been hired to a newly created $140,000 a year New York State job. This of course comes in spite of the Governor’s own orders putting a freeze on any and all hiring. Ivan Lafayette, a 78 year old Democrat who served 32 years in the Assembly, has just been handed a cherry job with the state Insurance Department. The guy is 78 years old! How often do you think he’ll show up at the office for the job? The made up position paying that whopping salary is Deputy Superintendent for Community Affairs. In other words, it’s simply a name sign on a door somewhere. This is ridiculous and it’s time for people stand up and holler about this one.
When putting the hiring freeze in place, ‘accidental’ Governor Paterson said State Agencies can only hire for “absolutely essential” openings. A PR position such as a community affairs person, is hardly essential. While speaking with one Assemblyman recently I told him he needs to sponsor a “Call Back Bill” and call back that outlandish job. Just how did the hiring happen during the so-called hiring freeze period? Andy Mais, a spokesman for the Insurance Department said “Lafayette’s appointment was approved through the budget freeze waiver process.” Mais went on to say, “It’s unclear why the new post is needed.”
Gee Mr. Mais, you mean you really don’t know why the post was created? I’m guessing you’re saying that because you’re afraid if you really speak out, you could lose your job. So, with that in mind, here’s what’s going Mr. Mais — This is nothing more than another case of where the ‘accidental’ Governor is rewarding a long time friend, who’s also very old, with an incredible benefit package to leave the Assembly. Lafayette just retired from the Assembly after 32 years. Apparently he needed a retirement plan, so Governor Paterson decided to ignore his hiring freeze rule and gave him a $140,000 a year payday as a retirement package.
I say this one needs to be called back immediately!
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
