Senate Wastes Yet More Time On Frivolous Proposals Addressing LEAC, Budget Deficit
Finally, a solution to that problem called the LEAC.
No, the government has not decided to pay the Water and Power Authority (WAPA) the $18 million-plus dollars it owes them.
No, there’s no new alternative energy plan, or initiative to upgrade the antiquated equipment that wastes as much oil as it burns in WAPA’s outdated plant.
Instead the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would require government employees in non-emergency positions to pay for their own gas an maintenance. The “savings” from this ingenious plan will go into a “LEAC Reduction Fund” designed, we imagine, to radically reduce the cost of energy to the ratepayers of the Territory.
Are they kidding?
Another provision of the bill, now on its way to the Rules and Judiciary Committee, is that “individuals who are required by law or job description to operate a government vehicle” will also continue to have their gas paid for by the government.
So who does that leave who will now be paying their own gas and maintenance expenses?
This brilliant piece of legislation was offered by Sen. Sammuel Sanes, who was also the mastermind behind another proposal that would create a “Revenue Estimating Conference,” a six member committee whose purpose would be to prepare three-year forecasts that the Governor would be required to use in preparing budgets and financial plans.
The history of forecasts by the Administration’s financial team has been spotty at best and downright inaccurate at worst. The most recent number is a $47.5 million for FY 2012. And yet, the proposal would form this “Estimating” team that would consist of three members of this very financial team, the Legislature’s Post Auditor, and designees of the President of the Legislature and the president of the University of the Virgin Islands.
Here’s our “amendments.”
- Government, pay your WAPA bill and quit wasting our time with inefficient and ineffective ludicrous suggestions to reduce the LEAC.
- Cut government vehicle usage down to essential employees ONLY. And that’s bona fide emergency workers and those who are justifiably required to use a government vehicle in the performance of their work duties during work hours only. How many jobs actually require that the employee have the use of a government vehicle 24/7?
- Require that the “financial team” do its job, produce accurate projections and provide verifiable documentation of the revenue streams they claim will support their numbers. Why create another entity to do what they are paid to do?
- Immediately cease this dependence on funding sources that are not designed to address government financial mismanagement and manage the funds that are designated for the purpose of running the government. The Insurance Guarantee Fund is not the government’s “overdraft account.”
The Legislature has repeatedly refused to take measures that would solve the mystery of the projection issue. Most recently, an amendment that would have given the Legislature access to the bank statements showing definitively what funds are in each of the numerous government accounts was voted down.
To even consider and pass forward either of these proposals, when it is still quite possible that government employees will face a payless payday in December, is another waste of their time, and what’s left of our money.
Besides,don’t you have to be at least 5ft in height to run for governor?
The little troll is probably shyting himself in his Newborn Pampers diapers. Those would fit him perfectly.
Who are the 2 charged with sexual harassment in the Senate which Recon spoke about today?
Is it Hill and Dowe? Can anyone confirm this?
Wait guys’ are you all talking about Recon the guy who’s wife could be his daughter?
Rather have a man married to a woman that looks young enough to be his daughter. Than have a little sleazy Senator sexually harass a woman that could be his daugher. Even after the young lady told the tiny slimeball she was married and to leave her alone!
The little Senator midget is as nasty and sleazey as it gets!
LOL!
Deleted …..you are back on CIF after your chronic bout with diarrhea eh ?