Gold Dome Live

By td

February 2, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this

I am a lowed paid DHR employee and have been taking a furlough day each month since Sept. (equal to a 5% pay decrease). If I can do it then all those highly paid University and School system employee’s should be able to take a furlough day also. Do these people think they are better than us and should not have to make any sacrifices?

By bk

February 2, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this

I have been own furloughs for months now and believe that ALL employees should be subjected to the same thing. Since I haven’t had a raise in 2 years, teachers shouldn’t either. They took the job knowing what it paid the same as I did. I don’t care how its done but even teachers should not be immuned from furlough days -Nor should the Govenor or any other lawmaker. PS - Quit wasting money on luncheons, dinners, etc., unless you pay for them.

By sandyb

February 2, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this

Are the Governor, the Gov’s staff, the Lt Gov, the Speaker and all the legislators furloughed? They should give back a day or two of pay per month before requiring other state workers to do so!

By Henry

February 2, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this

UGA should fire all its coaches and sports staff before furloughing professors.

By B

February 2, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this

Hey bk…..teachers aren’t getting raises next year in most of the metro areas…..so let’s get that straight right away. And just how to propose a teacher take a furlough….state law requires students to attended school for 180 days…….I don’t imagine you can have kids in school with no teachers

By jeff

February 2, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

Send the legislators HOME. They waste our money and drag out the session without DOING anything of importance.

By Lisa

February 2, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this

It seems that state employees are the only one expected to make sacrifices when the state has a budget crisis. Is the Gov, his staff and the Legislators taking furlow days. Are they cutting their budget by 11% like other agencies are being required to do. Our raises are the first to be cut, yet our insurance rates keep going up. What about cutting some of the agency heads salaries and fringe benefits to subsidize the budget?

By John

February 2, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

First, none of those coachees are paid from state funds. Those salaries are paid from donations and fundraising for that specific purpose.

Second, every state employee should be required to take a furlough day before any state employees have to take more than one furloygh day per month. That should include elected officials and University system personnel. I would be willing to bet that every professor has at least one day in a month where they are not teaching classes.

By Carla

February 2, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

Teachers can’t take furloughs…remember we’re babysitters!

By John

February 2, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

Teachers and University System personnel did get raises last year when no other state employee got a pay raise. The legislature should reduce their pay back to what they were making before their raises before they require any furloughing.

By JBD

February 2, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

Henry, I HEARD THAT!

By JM

February 2, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this

Legislators should not be paid to begin with. They certainly should give up all of their pay this year at least.

By CORRUPTION FIGHTER

February 2, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this

please cut government waste here in ga and especially in washington before the whole country becomes bankrupt like california.

By JBD

February 2, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

Henry, “I HEARD THAT!”

By Linda

February 2, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this

I don’t think any state employees or teachers should get a raise this year. We don’t have the money. I am a retired educator and my husband is a school principal. Furloughs should start with all agency department heads, county school superintendents, and the highest paid employees first. We all have to tighten our belts to get through all this.

By state emp

February 2, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this

B - State employees and teachers won’t be getting a raise next year, but the rest of us state employees did not get a raise last year either. We’ll be going on two years, while teachers will only see one year of no raise.

By Bat Boy

February 2, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this

The University system should furlough ALL the professors who don’t teach before laying off other employees.

By Laura

February 2, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this

Teachers can’t take furloughs…remember we’re babysitters!

Amen to that.. :) Except, if we were getting paid per child we would be making more money!!

By BETTER THAN A LAYOFF

February 2, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

DFCS employees were recently informed that offices will close statewide 1 day per month, in addition to the furloughs already in place. It will hurt, but it’s better than a layoff.

By Realist

February 2, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this

This country is already bankrupt—both monitarily and morally. The “Me” generation took care of that.

By M

February 2, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

Why do they continue to punish the responsible people. Homeowners are struggling yet they want to increase taxes and decrease incentives.

State Employees make up a very small percentage of Georgians - why keep targeting them?

Why aren’t Teachers considered State Employees if the State pays them?

By Robb

February 2, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

All employees shouldn’t be treated the same because they are not the same. I can get an office worker a heck of a lot faster and easier than say a collegiate level professor.

By DC Tech Fan

February 2, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

I am not a teacher, and both my children are grown. With that said, teachers should not take a pay decrease. They do not get paid enough as it is. When it comes to children, we can pay now (with good teachers) or pay more later, with welfare, jail, etc. Our country does not do enough for our children - it is sad.

By All

February 2, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

When Legislators talk about furloughs they should be state wide - no exceptions, starting with the Governor and all below him …

Schools, well Carla said it so well, “teachers are babysitters”. Trust me, my Mother has been teaching for over fity years and she can describe the decay of our society just by describing the kids in her classroom over the last 50 years …

By johnjay

February 2, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this

Wouldn’t it make more sense to pay the additional $200.00 in property taxes instead of taking more money out of the pockets of over 100,000 employed Georgians. Practically speaking, a one time loss of $200.00-$500.00 to an individual vs. 12 months of declining paychecks and more layoffs will not help us in the long run. The tax credits are a great idea, but planning was not carried out last year to accomplish this and Georgia should plan for the grants in the future when we can afford it again.

By SuperVisor

February 2, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this

I’m a supervisor in a big state agency, and my job is much too important for me to take any type of furlough or layoff. These should be reserved for clerks and secretaries—these jobs don’t matter much anyway. The important people in the agencies shouldn’t take any reductions—-in fact, with all the important work we do, we should get a bonus and a raise! I only got a 5% raise last year and no bonus! This better change this year, or I may go into private industry.

By Rhonda

February 2, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this

I am a University employee, I feel the VP’s should be the first to be layed off. We do not make enough money to be taken off without pay. We should start at the top and cut back.

By Revenue

February 2, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this

The only way to really resolve this budget issue “fairly” is to increase sales tax across the board for a specific period of time.

For those of you that want to increase property taxes fine, then only allow property owners to vote on the measure. Too many times non-property owners vote to increase property taxes …

By peanut butter cookies

February 2, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

Did furloughs cause a problem with state inspection for the plant in south Ga? I am just asking. In state/county office furloughing one person has had an impact on the work load of other workers and services provided to the public. Staff are performing task that is not routinely their job assignment, missing opportunities to provide additional services that the customer needed, and collection fee appropriately. It is easy to furlough one and think it is being effective. All Departments or none should be the rule.

By Hhhmmm

February 2, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

Hey Johnjay, do you own property? and do you really think this will be a one time charge? Do you live under a rock. It will never be a “one-time” charge … it will be an increase that will never be reduced!

Make a specifc time period sales tax increase so everyone shares in the covering the deficit …

By State Employee

February 2, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this

State lawmakers needs to use the billion of dollars the Govenor put a side for a Fishing bill instead of cutting services used for the people of Georgia. For two years the state employees have not received a raises and never received an cost of living increases and every year the Health insurance increases. We have families too we need to provided for like the lawmakers and the governor.

Every year the Lawmakers and the Governor receives their cost of living increase and Salary increases this needs to Stop. They can balance the budget by each lawmakers and the Governor giving a day of their Salary and the budget problem will be resolved. I hope they do not give themselves a Salary increase this year it will be a slap in the face to all State employees.

By Pompano

February 2, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this

All non-classroom personnel positions in the School Systems should be heavily reduced

By td

February 2, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this

“And just how to propose a teacher take a furlough….state law requires students to attended school for 180 days…….I don’t imagine you can have kids in school with no teachers”

Teachers are 193 day a year employees. They have to report before the school year begins, after the school year ends and there are many teacher work days spread out during the year. I think they could furlough on those days and not effect the education of the children.

Also, Education and Medicaid makes up 75% of the state budget. These areas have to be cut also. Did you know the largest increase in hiring within the state for the past 10 years is in the university system? Most other state agencies have either remained the same or decreased in staff. Did you also know that the university system’s payroll is the highest of any government agency? The average professor in the state makes $80,000 per year and works 25 hours per week. They could work 40 hours a week cut have the professors and the students would not even see a decrease in class selection.

By J

February 2, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this

I am a teacher and my position HAS been cut for next year. My county is having to cut 16 teacher positions across the county K-12 because of this mess. Fulton County one of the biggest systems in the state has issued a hiring freeze for next year, and I bet more are to come. This is what happens when Americans get lazy don’t take responsibility for their Republic and don’t hold politicians accountable. We have let them steal our wealth through legislation and corrupt corporate cabals and now they are trying to destroy the dollar. Did you know we have printed more money since September 2008 than from 1913 until Sept. 2008 combined to finance these bailouts? Where do people think this money comes from? Thin air? When that inflation hits us in about 3 months and the dollar collapses because its worth nothing get ready for something worse than a depression. We need to get back to the gold standard which backs sound money, and turn off the printing press or America as we know it is done for.

By south georgia

February 2, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

Have the governor, lt. gov., and the rest of upper administrators in state government take a furlough before this burden is placed on the back of those who can least afford it. Maybe Sonny can take the group down to his land in Flordia to get a break from their ‘tough’ jobs.

By jdawg

February 2, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this

I hate burst Sandy’s bubble about the coaches and ahtletics…but frankly Sandy you do not pay for that from your taxes….in fact I am getting ready next week to send my donation for the next year…how about you….when you speak about this subject…maybe you need to know the facts…it is a &72 million business, which you do ot participate in…good luck in your state job….

By CONCERNED CITIZEN

February 2, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

Just wondering what all these employees are doing on the internet during business hours?

By Mattye

February 2, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I would gladly take a furlough in order to keep myself, or my colleagues, from being laid off. Folks need to stick together. Things will get better. We hope and pray so, anyway.

By Mad Mary

February 2, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this

Starting tomorrow get rid of all Government Employee Pensions and start doing 401K’s. Just like the rest of us. Starting tomorrow get rid of all Government Employee Paid HealthCare and Life Insurance. Let them buy their own. Just like the rest of us. Starting tomorrow put all Government finances on line so we can see what these Elected Spenders are doing with our money. It is our money and we should be able to see every day who is spending our tax dollars and on what.

By Another State Employee

February 2, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

Alright, I have read these comments and something people are forgetting is the “wonderful” GOV. pet projects. Do we really need to spend 17 mil on expanding the horse track at the fairgrounds in Perry, or 6 mil in a fishing program….personally, as a state employee, i see all the points were ALL state agencies needing to make sacrifices but seriously we voted the idiot in we should have a say and i say IMPEACH!!!!!!

he has done nothing right in our state at all, we are spending 10 bil to privatize IT statewide and they are wanting to spend MORE to privatize the Hospitals………i think this gov needs to be held accountable for his actions and explain how furloughing good hard working people with families and bills is justifiable for stuff like fishing programs and his pet projects…..i also agree that ALL legislatures should take a 10% to 15% pay decrease….that’s my taxmoney they are awarding themselves with and I don’t think they deserve it

By rc

February 2, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this

i believe this correct, many teachers get raises for longevity and cost of living. and they also, can increase salary by getting advanced degrees with limitations. so surely they can give up a little.

many administrative positions in regents make way too much to begin with. they for sure should take some furloughs.

and given the quality of political leadership in this state, legislators for sure need to sacrifice too.

and state retirees including teachers should give a little as well.

everyone should tighten up to get us through this mess created by stupid politicians at every level of government.

but hey we elected these fools.

By MOM and TEACHER

February 2, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

Henry SURELY knows that the salaries of all UGA coaches are paid for by the Athletic Department NOT the State of Georgia.

By EMPLOYEE

February 2, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

Dear, CONCERNED CITIZEN IT IS LUNCH TIME!

By John

February 2, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

All state employee salaries and expenses they receive are online for everyone to see. State employees pay their fair share of their health insurance expenses just like employees in private business do. State employees pay for their life insurance and pay for their retirement.

To the Supervisor who thinks his/her job is too important to receive a furlough—If you had time to read this and post on here, you have enough time in your month to take a furlugh day.

By CONCERNED CITIZEN

February 2, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this

I have heard from friends in the school system about retiring from the state after 30 years only to be rehired and be able “double dip” in the system. Can someone expolain that to me? They said the principal at our local school draws a salary over $100,000 plus retirement. Is this possible?

By Reality

February 2, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this

Go to careers.ga.gov and look at the miserable salaries of average state employees; furloughs will render many of thses people homeless. Look at it this way. A state worker who makes 25K/yr. who is furloughed two work days per pay period(bi-weekly) will take home roughly $200.00 less on payday. They will not be able to pay rent. Heaven forbid if they have kids. There has to be a better way.

By M

February 2, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this

Benefits to State Employees have been cut so many times over the years that it is not a competitive work place any more. The retirement system has been phased into a 401K program effective this year will all new employees. This is the ONLY fair way to do it rather than changing the agreement/contract with employees when they signed on. Pay rate is not at all competitive with private industry - even for top paid staff. Govt Emps pay a huge amount for poor healthcare and insurance. I do NOT recommend anyone applying for a State job as a career path anymore - those days are long gone.

Offer a respective early out for long term employees to retire and save those higher salaries. Retirement is self-sufficient not tax funded.

By Clay

February 2, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

Funny how so many people know that teachers get all these regular raises. earn an advanced degree= earn a raise. Just like any other field. I teach and I have not received a pay raise in 3 years. At 19 years exp. I only receive step increases “for longevity” every 3 years now. That step is only about 1.5 % much lower than what others get.

By williebkind

February 2, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

Hey what about the 2 billion of the 841 billion stimulas package that is designated to Georgia. Do the leaders want us to pay now so they can keep the 2 billion later. I know it is designated for certain projects but those projects are part of the annual budget, are they not? Where am I wrong here?

The answer to furlowing teachers is simply decreasing the pay by one day of furlow. Most get 60 or more days off each year. They could reduce the checks during the off season.

May they could then find a second job like most of us have to do to make ends meet. Well, thats what I think but I am a product of the public school system.

By DMP

February 2, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this

*I just cannot believe the comments posted by SuperVisor! *

Go ahead and work for private industry. When that company decides to lay you off because they cannot afford your salary, see how much you will regret not being furloughed at least one day a month!

By Not Impressed

February 2, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this

I don’t ever respond to these things but SuperVisor was not real. How could you do anything by yourself. All employees are important because they are people. Thanks for your input. This is going to hurt us all but the big important people don’t really care. Ouch.

By Mary

February 2, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this

How about cutting that fishing bonanza Sonny is building in his own backyard? We really need a fishing hole in Ga. when state employees are being asked to give up salary. Of course, we all know Sonny isn’t going to cut anything that hurt his personal wealth.

By Tammy

February 2, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this

I’m all for paying MY fair share, but why is it that State Employees have to bare the brunt of the State’s shortfall every year? It seems to me that State Employees pay double (personally and professionally). Our raises are taken or reduced, our health insurance goes up (twice this year), our property taxes, our sales taxes go up, our income taxes go up. Spread the shortfall around, PEOPLE! State employees should have to pay personally or professionally, but not both!

By Join the club!

February 2, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

My best friend work for the City of Atlanta and they are forced to take a furlough day every week! Their pay has been cut 10% per week! They have not received any raises in over 5 years! Their insurance premiumns have gone up 7% in one year and it will go up 10% next year. You all don’t have it that bad if they are only expecting you to have 1 furlough day a month! Try having 2 - 3 furlough days a month!

This is a tough time for everyone, but it’s something that can’t be helped unfortunately!

By dailyplanet

February 2, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

forget furloughs. fire these ridiculous republicans who keep dropping taxes on the rich and penalizing the entire state by rolling back vital infrastructure.

this state is falling into martial law, into complete disrepair, into a disgrace. something’s gotta give, and i hope it’s this pubbie legislature first.

By Clay

February 2, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

Does willie really not know that teachers do not get paid during those 60 or more days we get off? 191 days paid in a year divided by 12 mothe so we at least get a check during the off months. Most teachers I know, do work an extra job. Year round!

By Tammy

February 2, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

The State of Georgia is the largest employer in the state. I only hold a BBA, but it seems to me that forced furloughs will only hurt the economy even more. The largest group of people in the state will have less in their pockets to spend on consumables, durable goods, taking vacations, etc. Where are all the economists when you need them??

By mary gee

February 2, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

I am with the Rest of the State Employees I’m one myself and appricate that I am still working prasie God. I agree why are hasen’t the GOVERNOR, Legislatures and senators taken am pay cut not one time have I heard them mentioned that. To help will reducing the budget they are just sum greedy little things and don’t care about the little people. Its time we start puting the pressure on these big guys who are all for themselves. They want eveyone else to either be laid off are take a pay cut SO WHY CAN”T THEY DO THE SAME.

By First Hand

February 2, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this

I used to work for the State of Georgia and trust me and believe me when I tell you that there are a lot of dead weight people there. A lot of them have a lot of work to do, but they don’t do it. They do what they want to do when they want to do it. When I used to work for them I have witnessed this first hand. I just couldn’t understand, for the life of me, why I was the only one working while everybody else was b.s.ing around. Now there are a few people that worked, but about 75% of them just b.s. around on our tax dollars. I found a better job and resigned a long time ago! Their pay is really poor.

Trust me when it’s time for them to take their 2 15 minute breaks, they do. Don’t try to catch them 30 minutes before their working day is over. You won’t be able too because they are on the elevator trying to get to their parked car or on their way to the MARTA train station at the time they are actually are supposed to be leaving their office or desk.

There is a lot of dead weight on all levels that work for the State of Georgia.

By Capitol Hill

February 2, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

As a State employee everyone in my office is of one opinion - our daycare fees, car notes, house payments and various bills will not take a furlough day.

I understand the position we are all in TOGETHER but to only ask a subset of State employees to furlough is wrong. Everyone from the Governor, to Lawmakers, to the lowest level State employee should have to take a furlough day period.

But before you balance the budget on our tax paying backs you may want to think about making cuts in wasteful programs (GoFish), using some of the “Rainy Day Funds”, borrowing against our AAA Bond rating and increasing specific taxes such as a penny tax or a $10 add-on to the car tag fee. And don’t forget coming soon a $900 billion stimulus plan that Georgia will be able to utilize - if our so called elected leaders/lawmakers can see past their narrow political views for once.

When everyone feels like WE are ALL making hard choices for the greater good then we can get out of this deep hole that years of poor political beliefs has placed this great State deep within. We are Georgians, we never stop, we never give up and we should never lose HOPE.

By The 1929 Great Depression

February 2, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

Dear J,

If you will study your 1929 Great Depression economics, reverting to the gold standard was partially responsible for the downfall of the 1929 economy. At the height of the Great Depression, there was 25% unemployment.

And I agree with you, we have not held our Republic and those in charge accountable. It’s time we, the people, step up to the plate. Action, not lip-service.

To heck with all the talking heads and corporate heads who whine that we’re part of the problem because we’re not spending, we’re saving and trying to pay down our debt. That’s what we should have been doing all along. Boy, did the marketers sell us a bill of goods that said CREDIT, CREDIT, CREDIT was the best thing since sliced bread. And we fell for it.

Debt and greed, corporate and personal, helped get us in this mess.

I believe we will become more conservative consumers like the generation of the 1929 Depression, which is a good thing. And our economy will adjust.

This, too, shall pass, and things will get better. We just have to hang on for the ride.

By S Franklin

February 2, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

Its time our Georgia legislators show some teeth. I am challenging every Georgia state legislator to forgo a salary for one year. Everyone needs to step up in this crisis and show leadership.

By DK

February 2, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this

Records: 1 to 8 of 8

Name Title Salary Travel Organization Fiscal Year

RICHT,MARK A COACH $328,050.00 $0.00 UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA 2008

Straight off of the State Audits and Accounts Website. The State does supplement coaches salaries!!

By concerned

February 2, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this

Nurses are also being asked to furlough - so everyone should be asked to furlough. My bills are the same as teachers. We are all state employees and we should all be treated fairly.

Secondly explain why the Dept. of Juvenle Justice created and hired staff to be “trainers” and they still send employees off site for training. What exactely does it entail for some one to schedule employees off site for training. One hour vs two hours or better yet they are paid eight hours per days and actually train no one in their facility.

Third and final - why are employees sent to training in Forsyth, Georgia for training that is deemed more approiate for secuirty or correctional offices. The training literally does not take eight hours per day, can be taught online or better yet by the trainers being housed in the facility for which they work. Seems like a waste to me….

By Teachers

February 2, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this

I don’t think that teachers should be furloughed. Just like I don’t think that any public safety employees should have to be furloughed in any government.

Teachers need to be at their schools teaching their students. GA is already battling for 50th place on that educational pole! Trust me those teachers need to work every single day.

Public Safety - the City of Atlanta is already feeling the negativity regarding their public safety being on furlough and the state do not need to face that same tragedy waiting to happen.

Those two places and employees in those sections should not be furloughed at all! Especially when the purchase for fire arms have gone up 79% in the State of Georgia alone! There are a lot of fools that are purchasing those guns and are just going to be shooting and killing people just because they feel they will have a right to do so! Georgia is going to turn into the wild wild west due to the city of atlanta furloughs of the public safety division.

Now the Governor need to take a 50% pay cut! He do not need to give teachers or school principals raises at all. Either everyone receive a raise or no one! Fair is fair!

By Voter

February 2, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this

I hope the legislators are taking note of these responses. They speak volumes don’t they?

By StateWorker

February 2, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this

I agree, furloughs should definitely start with the high paid directors and deputy directors. Are you telling me someone earning $90,000 + is going to go without medicine, or forgo a bill payment if furloughed 1-2 days a month? I don’t think so, but someone earning $20,000 to $30,000 just might.

Good grief! They are selfish, greedy b*******, with a messed up sense of entitlement. That’s why our country is in the terrible economic shape that is in right now!

By Deborah

February 2, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this

SuperVisor, you sound really dumb and stupid! As I read your comment, I kept saying to myself, “Is this real or is this person making this up?” You sound like the perfect jerk! Keep on thinking you’re too important and better than clerks and secretaries to be furloughed—you just may find yourself being the odd man out.

By the way, I will bet your sorry A— is the kind who delegates or “dump” their work on “clerks and secretaries”. Yes, getting by with someone else doing your core work. You sound so-o-o-o dumb! Bonuses in state government? I think not! You know something, the private sector will eat your kind alive. Please go to private industry—you sound too stupid for state government.

By secretary/clerk

February 2, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this

SuperVisor you have a lot of nerve to think you are the “only” important person that works. It’s people like you why we are in the situation we are in. You got a 5% raise last year, then you should be lucky you got that. I’m almost certain you didn’t deserve it. I would bet you kissing up in the govt to get what you need. I think the state should sure enough cut your pay and take your title cause you don’t deserve it especially since you only care about yourself. You sound like a political jerk if you ask me.

By Voter2

February 2, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this

University professors work 25 hours/week and make $80k per year? Somebody has wrong info - come over to GSU and see how wrong that is. USG furloughs means less education for our students - short term nonsense

By Charles

February 2, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this

“Desperate times call for desperate measures. I would gladly take a furlough in order to keep myself, or my colleagues, from being laid off. Folks need to stick together. Things will get better. We hope and pray so, anyway.”

By gadem

February 2, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

As a University System of Georgia Employee, I am against mandatory furloughs for anyone. But my opinion does not count anyway. However we have been saving money as school in other ways.

By Ladilovely

February 2, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this

We can end all this RAISE TAXES

By po'd

February 2, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this

go ahead and furlough me…. I will cancel classes anyday you require me to be furloughed, costing your child the opportunity for instruction they have paid for on that day.

By GA LAW

February 2, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this

Whatever you do just please leave the law school at UGA alone! We desperately need those 50+ professors making $100,000 a year on the state payroll! And don’t ask them to do any more work than they are already doing. The 1 to 4 ratio is already hard enough. I won’t even mention the 8 weekly hours these hard working men and women spend in the classroom. You need to ask yourself what would this state do without the additional 200 lawyers UGA is preparing to pump out this Spring?

By k

February 2, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this

I heard the state was building a trout hatchery and muesum in south georgia that will cost in the millions of dollars. Why do we need this? couldn’t this money be used in better ways?

By J

February 2, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this

The Great Depression and the The Fed

Truthfully I believe the illegal Federal Reserve is really to blame. Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the right to “print and coin money”. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 delegated that authority to a private bank that the Congress cannot even audit. Article V of the Constitution says that no Constitutional Authority can be changed without an amendment voted on by 3/4 the states…so for Congress to delegate a Constitutional authority would require more than an Act but a Constitutional Amendment which has never been passed. Therefore in my opinion the FED is illegal. But the biggest problem we have now is they print paper money with nothing backing it. Every dollar that roles off the press makes the one in your pocket worth less. When you print 2,000,000,000,000 of them in 4 months guess what is going to happen? Since 1971 and the breakdown of Breton Woods(gold standard) the dollar has been the Reserve Currency of the world or its been treated like gold. So instead of working and producing capital, America for 40 years has been running the printing press, outsourcing our capital(manufacturing) to other countries, and basically printing gold and living off of credit. Now the rest of the world is talking about removing the dollar as the reserve currency and we have no gold or capital to substain ourselves. The system is going to collapse, its just a matter of when and what system we get next.

Actually I teach History and I have studied the Great Depression extensively and the gold standard did not put us in the depression, The Fed along with many other government programs did. Now just like in the 1920s America lived beyond it’s means with easy credit and huge speculation in the market. Everybody thought their were going to get rich quick so everyone bought into the market artificially driving the prices up of stock way past its true market value, creating a bubble much like the housing bubble we have today. When it popped the market began to crash, and we made many dumb decisions then like we are now, such as keeping prices artificially high. The government in the 1930s decided that they wanted to keep food prices artificially high to keep confidence in the market so to do that they plowed under good crops while people starved. The market disagreed with them at the time saying the prices need to drop to meet demand and let the bad dept liquidate so the valuable assests could be accurately appraised and help start turning the economy around. Today we are doing the same thing with housing. Proping up the housing market to try to keep prices up for political purposes when the market is telling us that they need to go down. Bad dept has to liquidate, it is a fundamental concept of economics, which means some pain. The pain is politically healthy for politicians so they want to try to avoid it when its impossible. The question is do we make the right choices and have another year of recession or do we make the wrong choices prolong the pain and create another depression. If you read economic history books the FED has admitted to partially engineering the Great Depression.

By Michael

February 2, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this

Teachers are county or city employees. Public university staff are state employees. Coaches are paid by the university so anyone who says it is booster money is delusional. And top staff are the most necessary employees however their furlough gets the best savings. Too bad Georgia can’t just print money like the feds are printing trillions in bailout bucks.

By THAD NORRIS

February 2, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this

What happened to the surplus that was showed on the front page of the AJC just a few short weeks ago? They showed this major surplus of money for the last several years. also, part of the bailout calls for 30 million in food stamps. who is going to give out this money when the state doesnt have any workers???

By Concerned Gwinnett

February 2, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this

NO NEW TAXES!!!!

Ideas for deficit reduction

Open to any other ideas that include no new taxes or a reduction of waste.

By Citizen

February 2, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this

Check out all the recommendations by State Agency to reduce their 2009 FY budget at the Gov. Office of Planning and Budget - www.opb.state.ga.us/media/9820/2009-01-22webafy2009_state%20of%20georgia%20budget.pdf The Board of Regents has a way to go to come up with the 8% to 10% most other agencies are cutting their budgets.

By AKW

February 2, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this

Why is the University system exempt from furloughs? I don’t believe in it either but I did it so they should also. They have more than 40,000 employees and they should have to pay the same price as the rest of the state employees.

By M

February 2, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this

The first thing that should be cut from the State’s budget is all the pork barrell spending. Once this is cut out then, if necessary, furlough all employees, management included, one day a month!

By Cakey

February 2, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this

I know there would definitely be more money to spare if they’d stop all these doubledippers..have this elaborate going-away celebrations Friday and back Monday collecting double their salaries. Perhaps someone needs to look into that before trying to send state workers to the poorhouse!!

By PL

February 2, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this

SuperVisor.. I two am a state employee and I two work at a large state agency. And If you worked under me we would have less furlough days for all because you would be fired and then could go to the private sector. No one is above the law and all job functions including Govenor can be furloughed. Your “me first rules do not apply to me” additude depicts the problem with many people in our society. In times of difficulty leaders lead by example and form a united front with all members of there team/agency/state. I wish you peace and happiness and hope someday you get your head out of your @ss.

By Bunny

February 2, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this

Furloughing doesn’t necessarily mean you get a day off. You may have to work, even if you use vacation time for the furlough or if your pay gets reduced. So, yes, teachers can be furloughed. They are no better than the rest of us lower paid, dedicated employees, who make the operations go.

We shouldn’t argue about who deserves it more or less than the other—K-12 or University System. Face it, so much money is wasted on spending. P-Cards should be burned and we should go back to the old procurement days of purchase requisitions and centralized supplies. It kills me when we in the University System get a 1% or 2% raise and then somehow at year end, we have money to blow on stuff—computers, equipment, etc. There is a huge difference between the salaries, and I agree that the big wigs should take one for the team and get furloughed first. I am just glad to still have a job.

By GT

February 2, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this

Maybe some Universitys like Georgia Tech should stop giving extreme raises to people who do not deserve it. Like the 13% raise that was given to employees with out the correct approval, Richard Belcher needs to come check this one out…..CoC!!!!

By williebkind

February 2, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

STOP putting money into colleges period.

If you going to educate someone give them a trade skill. Vocational training puts people to work.

Having a degree in basket weaving or education does very little in the workforce. We need trained people who can work and will work. Too much impetus on a BA degree or higer! Yes I can learn math and English in trade school—imagine that.

By Bunny

February 2, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this

Hello people! SuperVisor was a joke! Don’t get uptight…it was a joke to show the arrogance of upper management in the state.

By M

February 2, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this

Anyone else notice how many of these teachers can’t spell or use correct grammar? It’s things like that that affect the children not the paycheck.

By Sr. Citizen Dawg

February 2, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this

Government like business: Either Raise revenues or decrease expenses. I never worked for government but my private industry experience was one of 2 week furloughs for the past 7 years. We didnt like it but we had no alternative. I’m sympathetic to anyone having to take a furlough but remember that a furlough beats loss of job completely by a long shot.

By taxpayer 222111--2333

February 2, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this

Really If you didn’t want to be on professional welfare then get a real job or figure out how to create a real job and drive the economy. I think the University System and GA Gov as a whole is FAT! They are really afraid to look at themselves and lose the gravy train. Its tough losing that fat.

By FURLO BETTER THAN LAY OFF*****

February 2, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this

perhaps the universities should reconsider and take the furlough, as it is better than being laid off. Even though Georgia receives BILLIONS of dollars through the GA Master Settlement AGreement Dollars, meant to prevent and to help people to stop using tobacco, the Tobacco Use Prevention Program and Georgia’s Health Promotion Program employees are all on the chopping block this fiscal year. What if your program was one on the chopping block too. Why, for that matter, most of Public HEalth is being laid off. Then it wouldn’t matter about a darn Furlough would it.

By TK

February 2, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this

University system as well as public school system are over staffed with non essential employees that spend a bulk of their time in seminars at pricey resorts paid for by the tax payer. So what if the chancellor does not believe in furloughs. If the rest of the state agencies are asked to come up with budget cuts, then he should as well. I’m appalled at his arrogance.

By Better Solutions 4 U

February 2, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

I have the perfect solution. Take all the State Employees out of 2 Peachtree with the reverse-racism going on, the dead weight, and give all the money to the Local Levels to get the work done and you’ll have your Financial Problems solved!!! This includes BJ!!!

By T

February 2, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

Since Friday classes are few and far between at UGA, why not use Friday as professor furlough day.

By MSmith

February 2, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

SuperVisor, are you serious with your comment??? No, really are you serious??? So basically you are saying just because you’re a SUPERVISOR that your position is more IMPORTANT!!! Where are those people which obvious you think are below you when you need assistance in meeting the Commissioners/Division Directors abrupt depends/deadlines in the state office? Huh? You so have gots to be kidding me. It’s people like YOU who NEEDS to be furloughed. I bet your position is one of those position that was created and NOT really need in the beginning. Talk about being a jerk!!!

By D.

February 2, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

Having worked for the state, the best solution I can see is to get rid of all the dead weight and keep those who are doing their jobs. Then you could actually pay them more comparably to what they would get in private industry and still have cut the budget.

There is a lot of dead weight at the state. There are also some great people who just don’t want to deal with it anymore, so they want to leave. Let’s not lose the good people b/c of the lousy workers.

By Jon

February 2, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this

As a former State worker, if they fire the 75% of State workers that don’t do anything but draw a paycheck and keep the 25% that actually work, the budget would be fine.

By braves70

February 2, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

My sympathies to the State workers of Georgia. We here in Tennessee are in the same barrel and we have a Democrat governor. We had voluntary buyouts of State employees last year and are now facing mandatory furloughs or even layoffs. We will know more in the coming week.

By SuperVisor??? NOT!

February 2, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

I think it’s hiliarous how so many of you fell for that e-mail by that supervisor person! hahahahahaha! That was obviously someone who does not or ever worked for the State of GA. They just wanted to ruffle your feathers! Don’t fall for it..I didn’t!

By Another from the State

February 2, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

Yes - Sonny Perdue should be IMPEACHED - and most of our legislators!!! They have continuously turned their backs on the most important issues in this state time and time again and should be ashamed. As for Sonny - how much PORK CAN HE EAT????? Our legislators definitely need to cut out his “GO FISH” and PERRY, GA dole outs - this is ridiculous - and shame on our legislators if they fail to do so. There is an immense amount of good ole Sonny’s “FLUFF” in his budget and him cutting what should be the heart of the budget (our people, children, elderly and handicapped). Georgia State Government has long since been hideous and underhanded and the general public knows this….politicians are no longer valued and considered worse than just about any profession. Our Gov should hang his head in shame he is a total embarrassment. He and his cronies through the way they operate have brought SHAME and suffering numerous times to our state government!!

By G

February 2, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this

Cut all services provided free or at a cut rate for the illegal immigrants in this country and any positions that are created to assist these people. If you can’t provide citizenship records, we can’t provide services! Can you imagine how much government, both state and federal could save?

By ATL

February 2, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

City of Atlanta employees have been furloughed 4 hours per week since December. Hey Georgia, what is taking you so long.

By mark

February 2, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this

Double dippers as I understand it are those that retire, and then are rehired by the county to come back and work. They get their retirement pension, and are paid their same salary. Good gig if you want to work after retirement. If this is not correct then let please let me know.

By Concerned

February 2, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this

This is ridiculous how people who won’t be effected are the ones speaking out. I work for DHR and in fact I do more work than Teachers, Supervisors and many others in the State of Ga system. The worst part of it is that there was a supervior on here who said that he got a raise last year, I would love to know what agency you worked for and go ahead in the private sector because you will be out of a job too soon. With more people being laid off and and applying for Food Stamps and Medicaid we can’t possible ask these workers to be furloughed. We have Social Services worker being furloughed and they are out there to protect the children and try to keep them from falling through the cracks. People are always complaining about state services and wonder why we can’t help faster. We would be able to save loads of money if people would stop lying to the government about what is actually going on in the house and accept the fact that you are over income for services. And I believe it is better to be furloughed then to be laid off! I’m angry because when we get a raise, once in a blue moon, it 2% not five and not ten. It doesn’t come every year and our benefits for health have went up and our deductible is not ridiculous. I love my job and I love to help people but how much can you really cut $28,000 per year. Teachers are important and yes they are baby-sitters but the truth is they need to be furloughed to. You can furlough one teacher everyday and a sub can be paid in their place. Trust me when I say it will make a difference. Pay a Sub 90/day compaired to how much a teacher makes in a day and Subs don’t have benefits. We may not like how GA is being run so suck it up and vote right next time.

By Geno

February 2, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this

One way to fix this: Get the University Syestem minus MCG out of the research business and cut the pay of all ths famous reseach professors back to teaching level. Let them teach a full load. They will do agood job. Next: Take alook at all the Directorates, Centers, and hideouts in ALL the colleges and universities..but especially the research univerisities and the regional universities. Please note: What research have they done that you even know about? That’s what I thought. It is make work and utterly useless.

Do not cut the MCG research. Just get out of the research at the universities and colleges and have them teach, lead, and st the example. Get out of the race to attract so-called business, social, psycho, and sociology researchers ASAP. Put all those directors and professors retired on active duty back to work teaching. Let all the temps go. C ut all profs back to a max of 75K and Deans to 100K and univeristy presidaents to $150K.
Do it now. Then look for cuts elsewhere. The stat e sill be in good shape if you do.

By PLEASE HELP STATE EMPLOYEES

February 2, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this

NON-STATE WORKERS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY THE COMISSIONERS, SOME MANAGERS AND DIRECTORS ARE MAKING THE BIG MONEY.

MAJORITY OF YOUR THE WORKERS ARE MAKING LESS THAT $30K A YEAR. INSURANCE IS HIGH! NO RAISE IN 5 YEARS BECAUSE THE HEALTH INSURANCE GOES UP EACH YEAR.

COME WORK FOR THE STATE AND YOU WILL SEE OUR PAIN.

By DR

February 2, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this

I’m appalled at the poor spelling and grammer used by so many who have responded, especially teachers. I’m a product of public schools in Georgia, with only a high school education, and I can spot your incorrect spelling and improper use of words immediately. Why don’t you review what you’ve written before pressing the “post” button on the screen. You just make yourselves appear ignorant. I agree with “williebkind” and the trade school idea he’s floated. So many people get college degrees in areas that they can’t find any work in. Trade schools do seem like a better option for so many, but we’ve been brainwashed to believe that you can’t make it today without a college degree.

By pinky&brain

February 2, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this

SuperVisor: I think that you must have written your response in jest. 5% raise last year! The “clerks and secretaries” received no raise. They work twice as hard as you do with little thanks (that is made obvious by your comment). Perhaps it would do you good to not have their resource. That way you could run down all of the “SuperVisors” that you want to meet with (and they all have a calendar that have to be considered)and schedule your own meetings. Also, it will probably give you much pain, but, you will also have to call your own boss to let him/her know that you are going to be late to work (again)! Good luck with that!

By stithcer

February 2, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this

My husband happens to be one of the “overpaid” legislators you are talking about. He is very devoted to his work. I see him less than his voters do. I make more money than him!!

By State Worker

February 2, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this

SuperVisor—-what a total jerk! It’s incompetent morons like you running state agencies that got the state of Georgia into this big mess with your idiotic decisions and waste of money. I hope they fire you or cut your salary 50%. Private industry? What a joke—you wouldn’t make it one day.

By FAT FAT FAT EWWW

February 2, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this

GENO: You’ve got THAT right. I agree. Also, much of the research that is being done, is to position Georgia in the global economy, like bio-fuel research etc. Not just MCG doing research. Look at Georgia Tech. It is just the fat getting fatter.
Instead of worrying about the global economy, they need to look into their OWN BACK YARD and take care of home first…

By Kirsten Patel

February 2, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this

What about PUBLIC HEALTH??? WE NEED PUBLIC HEALTH..WE NEED MONEY AND WE NEED JOBS.. SAVE PUBLIC HEALTH..

By secretary

February 2, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this

Excuse me SUPERVISOR, but the clerks and the scretaries are the ones that do the job, heck, I trained my supervisor, funny huh, training your supervisor to supervise you! So I guess you really don’t do anything or have a brain, to say something like that in your comment.

By m

February 2, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this

To DR,

Its pretty funny that you are appalled at the spelling and grammar, seeing as how you misspelled the word “grammer”. Ha! Maybe you should review your post…

By go ahead

February 2, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this

Like I said before….go ahead and furlough me. I will cancel classes on my furlough day and cost you and your kids the tuition money they paid for that day.

By Enough is Enough

February 2, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this

The Governor is spending over $10 billion to privatize IT. Carve out a large portion of that $428 million to balance the budget. That decision is hurting GA.

By Toopster

February 2, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this

Amazing to me that people would rather force furloughs or raise taxes, rather than look at alternatives: casinos in GA. Since AL, SC, MS all have casinos, we have people literally driving through our state to go gamble. Why not keep that money in GA? Why no Sunday alcohol sales? Why stopping Adult stores from opening in communities because of “moral opposition”? Keep voting with your bibles, Georgia, while you drive this state into bankruptcy. In the meantime, we’ll just cut fireman, policeman, teachers, and hardworking state employees…I’m sure we won’t need them, right? RIDICULOUS! And Sonny should be ashamed of himself!!

By a teacher

February 2, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this

For the idiot who seems to think that teachers make this great money every month..I make 1560 a month after taxes..that does not include all the money that I put into my classroom on a monthly basis ..so in reality after everything is said and done I bring home about 1300 a month (if that)..after all the hours that I put in every day my average pay is around 6.5 per hour…Please get your facts straight before you start running your mouth….

By Jeff

February 2, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this

I work for the University System as a IT administrator and am astounded by the vitriol I’ve just read. The Board of Regents (BOR) was asked to cut their budget just like every other agency. They chose to make the cuts in other ways besides furloughs. For example, after a 2.5% raise, my take home is reduced by almost $60.00 per paycheck because our medical deductibles were raised. I work for a research university and while I have no doubt that there on faculty/staff who should go, most of the folks I know work very hard. Most faculty put in more (much more) than 40 hours per week. Most research is done with funding that comes from sources other than the state. A large part of that funding goes back into the universities helping to pay for overhead, equipment and stipends for students.

By Ticked Off

February 2, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this

I am so sick and tired of hearing about furloughs and everybody needs to sacrifice!!! The real problem is the politicians under the Gold Dome which we paid for, need to balance our State Budget and watch their spending like many average citizens are now doing because of the less than wonderful economy!!! Stop the Pork Barrel spending and instead use the monies to pay state employees and/or real needs instead of furloughs!!! Wow a novel idea eh?

By Sean

February 2, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this

Furloughs are definitely not the way to go. The city of Atlanta is seeing the results now of the furloughs it has been implementing for months, including increases in crime and fire stations having to completely shut down some days because there aren’t enough firefighters. Furloughs do not solve anything, and they hurt the economy even more through decreasing the spending power or the public. Remember, our economy is based on spending, so if we decrease the power of people to spend, we’re biting ourselves in the foot. It’s even more of an outrage that these furloughs are needed so that they can pay for more tax cuts. That makes about as much sense as using gasoline to try and put out a fire.

By gadem

February 2, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this

Why should university employees have to take a furlough when college enrollment is up?

By d

February 2, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this

Why don’t the high paid officials in the state office take a pay cut or give up their expense accounts and bonus instead? Why don’t the high level officals demonstate their willingness to be leaders by demonstrating their ability to do what they expect everyone else to do?

Teachers pay is already cut with no raise but of course all insurance and benefit costs will increase. If everyone wants schools to be successful with education, why not treat educators with respect? Why not treat them like we pay “baseball” players? Why does GA feel that allowing for parents to get vouchers to go to private schools is a good thing when all the good students leave and the lower ability students are left in the public schools? It seems the state is encouraging parents NOT to go to our own public schools. How sad!

By WorkingPoor

February 2, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this

State workers making over $75,000.00 should be furloughed. Leave the other 95% of state workers alone!!

By Linda Watts

February 2, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this

As a State employee who has been taking furlough days for months, I take offense at a department head saying he “doesn’t believe in furlough days”. I don’t either, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to take one every month! I did not realize that this was not mandatory for all State departments. Why should I be now required to take 2 each month while some departments take none? On the other hand, I try to keep a positive attitude. I am thankful to HAVE a job, unlike so many others. I use my furlough day to volunteer at my church, and I challenge other state employees to do the same, not necessarily at their church, but volunteer somewhere on your “Sonny Day”!

By Anthony

February 2, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this

To the Supervisior who is not willing to take a cut in pay, go ahead an apply for a position in private industry. Get in line with the other 2.5mm people who are applying for those poisitions. We can see you are not a team player.

By swga teacher

February 2, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this

furloughing teachers isn’t a bad idea - the problem is when to furlough them. I’ve got family that works for DFACS and she takes work home on her furlough days or stays late the day before or after. Teachers can’t do this. If they send me home tomorrow on furlough there are still 100 teenagers that are going to be sitting in my room tomorrow. If somebody can come up with a reasonable solution to this I’m all ears. I think I may be laid off next year and I would gladly take one day a month and a slight pay cut in order to keep my job.

The other problem, for everyone screaming to cut educator’s pay and make them work harder, is that GA is already at or near the bottom of the educational pecking order in the country. Parts of rural GA can’t even recruit decent teachers to come in because they haven’t had the money for years (local systems can supplement on top of state salaries) Unless surrounding or all state’s do this we will see a massive brain drain from an already intellectually struggling state. They’ll all move somewhere else.

So my solution is this for the state: 1) Increase state sales tax 1-2%, revenue earmarked for salaries for state employees not considered management. 2) cut the stupid programs like Sonny’s fishing hole and the $100 cards that Sonny gave the teachers for the classrooms trying to buy our votes. 3) 4 day week for all state agencies - extend hours….including schools. The only agencies this would not apply to would be prisons (cause hey, we can’t leave them unsupervised) I think Utah is already doing this with some pretty good results. They don’t take pay cuts under this - savings come from utilities, travel, etc…Tie salaries to the national inflation rate, reevaluated every 2-3 years.
4)Offer MASSIVE tax cuts for big time businesses that want to come into GA and hire a LOT of people. I’m not talking Joe Schmo’s shoe shop hiring 10 people. I’m saying call Boeing or somebody up and say, “Build a plant here, hire 10,000 - 1-2% corporate tax rate for ten years” If they come in (which is why we do all this research stuff for those of you complaining about that) it brings in WAY more jobs and cash than would be lost in tax revenue.

We can point the finger all day long at who’s to blame for all this garbage but it doesn’t fix anything.

By Geno

February 2, 2009 4:52 PM | Link to this

This is Geno again. Yes, much of the so-called research at the regional and research universities does receive outside funding which is now dwindling due to the economic situation. The bad news is that the professors doing the research are paid by the colleges and univerisities and their teaching load is done by less qualified temps or qulifying grad students. What I recommended: Put the professors back to teaching. Maybe we should have a legislative investigation to see which research is worthwhile and which is just make-work and useless. You can’t find this out by asking Presidents and Deans. They have developed a game to win research grants and have no measure of the value of the so-called research. While at it maybe the legislator could evaluate all the economic development offices and see if they are doing any good. Remember…Don’t ask those in the offices. Go in and find out for yourselves. Geno

By Pat

February 2, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this

Come on people. Enough already!! The State’s shortfall is not us, state or university’s employees fault, but the government’s for mismanaging our money. Sonny has asked the University system to cut 8% to 10% and they have. State employees have to take furlough days, which is truly unfair. I am in agreement that our legislators should take a pay cut and yes Sonny should take a pay cut also. There was a time when the University system didn’t get raises for 3 years in order to keep jobs. If anyone should get their raises it is our teachers. If you’ve not been in the school systems lately you’ll see that the teachers are using their personal funds. Cutting services for the children and the elderly is truly a dis-service. If you think that Universities are overstaffed, that’s not true, as employees retire, the positions are not being filled. If the Universities shut down on Fridays who do you think will be working? The clerks & secretaries!!

By JM

February 2, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this

NOT ONLY DO STATE WORKERS ONLY MAKE ABOUT 30,000 OR LESS (REVENUE COLLECTIONS) BUT EVEN IF THEY QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID OR PEACHCARE THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO COLLECT.

By tchr 2

February 2, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this

To: RC, teachers already give up a “little” something! Do you know how much of their OWN money teachers puts into their classroom before they even meet their students at the beginning of the year??? Do you know how much they spend throughout the year to enhance learning???? Until you have a real clue, don’t say we need to give up a little anything because we’ve been doing it throughout the year with very little help from the school or parents. We get a little money throughout the year but that goes quickly and the rest is out of our pockets. Saying we chose the profession doesn’t cut it. There have been so many changes and so much money cut over the years and you, an outsider don’t even see the difference because the majority of teachers will supplement the lack of money out of their own pockets. You’ve no idea! To the parents who are involved and help with their childrens’ learning, God bless you and you are truly appreciated!!!

By Husband of a Teacher

February 3, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this

TO ALL OF YOU WHO THINK TEACHERS SHOULD GET PAY CUTS:

I can understand why you feel that way after reading your poorly written comments. Obviously, teachers never made a dent on your lives, so why respect the only class of citizens who work tirelessly to educate your ill-behaved, illegitimate children? Heck, you only see school as a free form of day care, right?

Those teachers you want to screw over work their a*******es off so YOUR kids can have a better life. Tell me what state employees, other than public safety, make those kinds of sacrifices for the rest of us?

By Underpaid

February 11, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

At the risk of stating the obvious I’m going to say it. I can tell by the comments we all are aware that Sonny Perdue(not the state workers or the teacherS) screwed up the budget now he wants the working folk who actually depend on what little they get to feed and care for their families to suffer the blow. Now that we are aware of this may I make a small suggestion: That instead of arguing amongst each other about who should suffer for Sonny Perdue’s screwups that instead it be brought to his door. Start a petition, write to the legislation, your Senator, your Congressman, don’t ask DEMAND that the one who caused the mess in the first place be made to clean it up. Subjecting him to a couple of furlough days, cutting off his travel allowance, trashing his little pet fish project, cut his pay these all sound like wonderful ideas to me and I think Sonny should be subjected to every single one

By Tell me who else...

March 23, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this

**Please tell me one other group of state employees who routinely spend their own money to do their job?

Tell me one other state employee who often works much more than 8 hours a day and spends the weekends grading papers?

Tell me one other state employee who needs to stay well past 5:00 to meet with parents, attend PTA meetings and after school events? Tell me one other state employee who has a direct bearing on the future of our children?

Sure…many teachers do have a few weeks off in the summer…but they often spend that time teaching summer school, or having to work other jobs to help make ends meet?

Tell me one other profession where someone with 10 years experience and two masters degrees barely makes the median income for Georgia?

By the way…the same Georgia legislator Edward Lindsey [edward.lindsey@house.ga.gov] who proposed this legislation…also proposed tax cuts, pay increases for himself and has blocked legislation for other means of resolving this mess (one that HE helped to create) And on top of that…he is not in favor of the 2.2 Billion dollars in federal stimulus that is slated for education in Georgia.

To the person that asked about the inspectors for the peanut processing plant in south Georgia….you know the one that killed and made people ill? Ya know…that one? The inspections were performed, and the plant deemed “exemplary” in it’s inspection report. Who performed the inspection? A state employee? the FDA? Nope….none of the above. The food industry hired it’s own investigators because there is not enough in the budget (state or federal) to pay for a proper inspection.

I guess the education, health and life of the people in this country is not worth more than a tax cut for the to 1%…to all the other 99% you now know where you stand.**