Underwhelmed and… shocked and awed January 10, 2007
All in one night…
Why was I underwhelmed? Governor Joe Manchin.
Why was I shocked and awed?
Wow, the amazing, surprising, stunning rally of teachers, school personnel and state employees outside the House and Senate chambers (more on that later).
First, I’m not sure if I can fully inform you of how bad the Governor’s speech was.
The content was poor. I normally disagree with the content, but even more so now. Well, it wasn’t even really a disagreement with what little was in the speech, but the overall lack of any major issues in the speech.
Legal reforms? Crickets chirping.
Tax reforms? Crickets chirping.
Any major issue, well, wait, heck… any issue that is actually going to change the direction of the state? Again, crickets chirping.
Economic Development? Crickets chirping.
Oh, wait, wait, wait. I’m wrong about that… there was a new economic development proposal.
The Governor proposed that if counties wanted to receive Economic Development funds then they will have to meet certain litter control parameters.
Say what?
I mean, I looked at Senator Jeff Kessler sitting beside me and said… “did he say LITTER?”… “did he actually say we are going to tie economic development dollars to LITTER?”
Say what again?
If the Governor has his way, economic development grants will only go to counties who have… get this… litter control programs.
That may be the absolute loopiest idea I’ve ever heard of (and I’ve heard some whoppers)…
Can you imagine the look on county commissioners’ faces after they finish investing millions in infrastructure, but forgot that all important litter program? Yes, county X, we know you have busted your asses to bring water and infrastructure to your industrial park, but you didn’t pick up enough litter, so you’re out of luck. What a riot.
But, outside the content, this was the first time I’ve ever seen the Governor actually struggle in his delivery of a speech.
In all fairness, it looked almost as if it was a teleprompter problem. The Governor wasn’t properly ending his sentences or was simply overrunning the applause lines in the speech. That signals to me a teleprompter issue, but maybe it was just that the Governor was off, which happens. I just have never seen it happen with Manchin.
The speech felt rushed. And, it felt as if it either wasn’t rehearsed or that the Governor was simply going through the motions.
It was not his best night.
But…
But…
But…
The teachers, school personnel and state employees who rallied at the Capitol were simply fabulous.
Tonight left was a huge, huge, huge impression on legislators. Senators walking over to the House were shocked and it was the talk of everyone when we stood in the House chamber waiting to be seated.
I can’t properly describe the scene. It was a total surprise to many of the Senators who had no idea there was even going to be a rally. It was one of those moments legislators will always remember.
The only time in my legislative service to which I can remotely compare tonight was the insane scene during the 1995 Workers’ Compensation brawl.
At that time, thousands of miners converged on the Capitol.
They were angry, irritated, intimidating.
They were spitting venom and fire. Cecil Roberts was screaming from the top of a chair. They cornered legislators and had a dozen pissed off miners surrounding them trying to intimidate them into voting for their issue.
They lost.
Big time.
The same day of the miners takeover of the Capitol, they lost the Workers’ Comp vote in the Senate by a whopping 31-3 vote.
Their hatred backfired.
Tonight?
Wow.
There had to be at least a thousand employees there. They were lined up between the House and Senate chambers. Six Deep. Eight Deep in many places.
They were cheering, clapping, enthusiastic and… get this… POSITIVE.
It was impressive. Very impressive.
They were Boise State laying it on Oklahoma.
They were Florida jumping all over Ohio State.
They were the underdogs.
By the time I was halfway between the Senate and House, I was rooting for them. I was invested. I was a teacher. I was a school employee. I was a state employee (well, I guess I am one of those).
The Governor simply didn’t have a chance.
He was upstaged and he is not easily upstaged.
By the time the Governor took the podium, it seemed he was resigned to playing second fiddle. Maybe the surprise display of people power threw him off his game.
He offered those people rallying a two-and-a-half percent payraise.
What a joke. That doesn’t even meet inflation.
It was inadequate especially considering the state is going to knock down another $150 million surplus this year.
He offered state employees no raise, but a two-and-a-half percent one time bonus.
That isn’t just inadequate, it’s an insult.
The Governor wasn’t on his game. The teachers were. You can guess who will win during this Legislative session.
-->
Loading...
32 Responses to “Underwhelmed and… shocked and awed”
Perhaps it is time for the members of the State Chamber to start questioning whether Steve Roberts is actually doing his job, or just hanging around to be MoJo’s lapdog.
It appears that MoJo just sent a silent message that he will not be attempting to twist Speaker Thompson’s arm for more tort reform.
Instead, he will just tell Steve Roberts “I’ve done all I can do.” And we all know Roberts will accept that, because he is not accountable to the Chambers members, he is accountable to MoJo.
I think the best way to sum up the way I feel about Sen. Sprouse’s article here is:
AMEN!
I could not have said it any better.
Sprouse for Governor in ‘08.
What amazes me is the WVEA & the WVAFT keep endorsing generally Dems(although there are exceptions) and then the Gov & the legislature don’t come close to giving them what they want.
GOD BLESS
BUDDY
I wholeheartedly agree Vic!!
Though many of the teachers in WV(but by no means all), are Dems; including myself, The REPUBLICAN party has lately seemed to understand that educational investment leads to longterm economic growth and development in WV.
You run for governor in 08′ and you have my vote over Joe any day - including my wife, parents, and my family members!!!
A big Thank You to Senator Sprouse and all the other legislators who realize the number of real people who are in the education system and who are impacted by low salaries and the ever-increasing cost of living.
One thing I want to point out is that higher education employees are not always included in references to “state employees” especially when it comes to raises. Classified staff in higher ed are paid from a 2001 salary schedule (based on 2000 market-level data). The majority of us are not fully-funded even on that old, out-dated salary schedule. We are very far behind and moving backward all the time. For a quick fix, we desperately need the legislators to provide funding for our salaries now or at least mandate that the institutions have to fully-fund it by July 1, 2007. For the near future, we need to be given a new salary schedule based on current market level data and a mandate that the instituions have to follow it instead of allowing them to pay us a percentage. We have got to find a way to stay current with the rising cost of living! Otherwise the poor are just getting poorer all the time!
$150 million dollar surplus!!!!??!?! So the legislature lowers the food tax but raises the gas tax, we have a surplus but nobody gets raises and the income tax is not cut. What is wrong with this picture. The definition of insanity is - you always do what you’ve always done but you’re surprised when the outcome is the same!! That’s what we keep doing in West Virginia - the same ol’ thang and then we’re surprised when people and businesses move out. I’ve heard it said that the Lord watches out for fools and children. Well, the Lord sure has an eye out for the West Virginia Legislature. And He can’t do anything until West Virginia people start voting and start voting those fools out.
P.S. Thankful for you, Vic. Hope you are able to continue to be the voice crying out in the wilderness.
I just read the article (blog?) that you wrote about the Governor’s speech last night. As a teacher, I too was underwhelmed, shocked, and awed!! I am now in my 30th year of teaching in this wonderful state. I was a transplant from Pennsylvania when teaching jobs were hard to come by. I have never regretted my decision to come to West Virginia. I raised three wonderful sons, all who have/are receiving wonderful post secondary educations at Marshall and WVU. The Promise Scholarship has been a godsend!! I hope there are others like you who understand the importance of what we as teachers do to help improve this state. Thank you so much for your support!
GO SPROUSE TELL IT LIKE IT IS. I AGREE SPROUSE FOR GOVERNOR NOW.IMPEACH MANCHIN. GOD BLESS
Vic,
You are correct. I was very surprised at the proposal for the state employees but mostly, I was extremely disappointed that the Governor does not appreciate the average state employee any more than that to just offer a 2.5 % b-o-n-u-s. These people have NOT had any type of raise for over six (6) years. Only a select group of employees had been blessed with a raise.
What is the national ranking of the average state employee’s salary or wages ?? I will bet it is even lower.
The Legislature should not pass a raise for themselves til they pass an equal raise for all state employees, service personnel, and teachers.
Vic,
Concerning pay raises for state workers, you are 100% correct. I am a democrat, but it seems the democrats are no longer on working people’s side, at least not state workers.
I hope the legislature can do something better for state workers than the governor offered. What an insult!
It is shameful that the legislators are contemplating voting themselves a hefty pay raise plus outrageous daily allowances at a time when the less fortunate residents of WV strive to make ends meet. And that for part time work! Outrageous!
The Governor should give a pay raise to ALL teachers AND to ALL service personnel!! SERVICE PERSONNEL not only deserve a RAISE but the SAME PERCENTAGE RAISE as teachers and administrators!!! A “one time sum” is unfair to service personnel who continue to fall short in salary, thus also affecting retirement funds!!!!!
I am a school secretary with 8 years school experience and 26 years legal secretary experience and school secretary salaries are pitiful.
Please help our state school personnel receive decent compensation for the work they do. We DESERVE A RAISE NOW!
Respectfully,
Vicki
I agreed whole-heartedly with your comments of this morning and in this email.
On health care costs: After watching “20/20″ and hearing the good report recently on WVPBS’s “Outlook”, it is amazing that hospitals and other health care organizations allow no “cash discount” for those who are paying for medical services without the assistance of medical insurance. There ought to be a discount that would especially help those who are least able to afford the service.
We keep hearing about the cost of health care. We hear little about cost control on the part of medical providers. It is time they started carrying some of the load.
We need the Federal Supply Schedule on prescriptions extended to all government agencies and programs and to the private sector, if possible.
We ought to be looking at the operation of these medical schools in the State to determine that they are actually serving the students and citizens of this State first, instead of those who are from elsewhere. Graduates of State medical and osteopathic schools should get a rebate on their tuition if the students agree in a binding contract to practice medicine in the State upon graduation. It is pointless to operate these schools and send people out of State for employment. If the intellectuals can’t do that, then the Legislature needs to step in and cut the size and scope of operation of these schools.
We must get the litigation and cost of malpractice insurance under control.
We must get the State out of the abortion business.
Your consideration is appreciated.
As Governor Manchin’s ego grows larger and larger, the proposals that he comes up with become more ridiculous. I thought the “Healthy Lifestyles initiative” was bad but the litter program for economic development is much worse. But with Manchin’s large ego these proposals seem absolutely great to him and nobody else can tell him differently. He’s obviously surrounded by yes-men that are in awe of him or afraid to disagree with him. This guy is becoming a bigger joke as time goes on, but still not many citizens recognize that.
Buddy,
The reason they still support dems of republicans is that, even tho’ they sometimes don’t get what the want in pay raises, they know whatever they get is more than they would get from the republicans.
Judi
Seems the whole state has been “Manchinized”. . . Are we all that naive? Is it any wonder our brightest kids are leaving the state? In my opinion Joe Manchin isn’t any better than Bob Wise. You can bet one thing — he’s probably in the Las Vegas’ lobbyist pocket?
Senator Sprouse,
I am not against pay raises to government employees. Everyone needs a cost of living raise from time to time if nothing else. However, just because they have graduated from college with a teaching degree does not entitle someone to $30,000 per year - and there IS a liberal days off schedule with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, summer. Many teachers use the summer for working other jobs - not against that but it is even more income. How many West Virginians work full-time AND part-time on a daily basis just to make $15 to 20,000 per year. It would be one thing if our kids were doing a slam-dunk in knowledge when they come out of these schools. The first year of college seems to be spent in remedial courses to bring them up to college level.
With the proposal presented, a STARTING teacher would make guaranteed $30,000 per year - that is more than my income AND out-go combined for my business (I cannot spend too much more than I have)! I do not have insurance either - does not fit in the budget.
One thing I am totally against and if I were a State employee, it would really be “putting salt in the wound”, is raises for Legislators and upper echelon administrators. The increase for judges was hard to swallow for the average voter. Stop the raises at the top unless you plan to do raises to the bottom layer also. 5% of $50,000 is a heck of a lot more than 5% of $15,000.
Dear Senator Sprouse,
I was touched by your words of support for the teachers and service personnel in this state.
I find it hard to believe that there are still people in this world who spit hatred at teachers. Do they realize that we do not get paid for our summer vacation? Do they realize that when we graduate a teacher from college that they are going to be paid less that HALF of other college graduates?
Do they realize that we only get seven paid holidays? Where is all of this “Free money”? It just infuriates me.
I didn’t go into teaching for the money. But with the cost of insurance continuing to skyrocket, the paycheck just doesn’t stretch as far as it used to.
I’m proud to be a teacher. I teach because I CARE, not because I want to be “rich”. It takes a tough person to put up with criticism on every hand. As a teacher I am in a no win situation. If I ask for a pay raise I’m a greedy monster. If I move across the state line for money, I’m a traitor. See what I mean?
Thank you, Senator for your words of support. You are welcome among our ranks.
I agree with post #17. There are many positions in state government which require bachelors degrees and higher that do not pay $30,000 at the entry level. Start looking at the Division or Personnel job postings.
This state is in an economic toilet bowl. Rising tides lift all boats. We must get our economy on a sure footing and get commercial business in here and then increase salaries. We are closely reaching the point where those who’s salaries come from taxes are having their own taxes raised to increase their own salaries.
I do agree with the Gov on one point (doesn’t happen often) get the bullies out of the schools! Start with the teachers unions.
When the handwriting on the wall gets so heavy ,the wall will fall!!
[...] Senator Sprouse and I aren’t the only ones criticizing the State of the State address. The bipartisan consensus at the capitol yesterday was that Manchin’s speech was underwhelming. The few specific plans Manchin did give in his uninspired monolog are going to be drastically changed by the legislature, especially the teacher pay raise. [...]
Judi, We will never know, because the Teachers organiztions keep endorsing and the people keep electing the Dems, even when they lie to them. If one election cycle they elected Republicans and they didn’t get what they wanted, don’t you think the ones elected the next time would be more attuned to their wishes. Also if you still feel you can’t support the GOP then in the primary elect someone else.
GOD BLESS
BUDDY
First of all, WVians absolutely MUST stop voting based on “who will GIVE me what” and start voting based on which policies will create real jobs and bring real, meaningful economic reform to WV. Government, contrary to the belief of the majority of WVians, is not responsible for subsidizing citizens’ income; nor is it responsible for “giving” away money to one group or the other. We will never see meaningful economic reform and improvement until we eliminate the gas, food, and sales taxes…and that’s just a START. After that, we need to eliminate the income tax, the inheritance tax, all property taxes, and the B&O tax. (Are you keeping track of all these taxes?) Once that’s done, we establish a flat tax of around 15% and make any necessary spending cuts to balance the budget. Watch our economy grow and the resulting expansion of the tax base. Expanding tax bases result in what??? MORE REVENUE. It’s very simple: basic economics.
Second, we spend WAY too much money on education in WV; particularly given the trivial results we’ve seen since Gov. Caperton started pouring money into the system. The issue is not how much we spend, it’s HOW WE SPEND IT. I mean, sure…there are computers in the schools now, but can our children read the instruction manuals?? When WV spends the amount of $$ it does on education, then local school boards tell us they’ll be without paper and books if we don’t pass county-wide levies, something is seriously wrong, folks. The priorities are totally out of line.
But…”Daddy was a Democrat and so am I” is the standard of WV and as far as I can tell, will continue to be. Does anyone else hear a giant flushing sound??
I’m not shocked and awed by Gov. Manchin’s speech. I’m not even mildly surprised. It is much like I expected. I am a State Employee with 24 years service in the Division of Corrections, two Bachelor degrees, and I still don’t make $30,000 per year. That is sad. The DOC is losing people every day to federal prison jobs that pay much more than what they can get in WV. Institutions are running well below full staff. The situation has become critical. We keep getting promises from the Governor’s Office that he is looking at it to see what he can do. We continue to hear from our Legislators that they understand it is a significant and serious problem and we need to increase the income of Correctional employees. Not many people will work in a prison setting, especially a maximum security one, for the salary that is paid in WV. It is even more difficult to get quality individuals.
It is a slap in the face to be given a 2.5% bonus…a one time incentive to remain employed for the State of WV. I will be lucky to get a check for $350 after the deductions are made. What a bonus!!
As a state employee of over 20 years, who has had one $900 raise in five in a half years, I feel like the one time raise was a slap dead in the face. Since insurance and the cost of living goes up every year, we have went backwards not forward. Every year we have to figure what can be cut so we can make ends meet.
As for the minium teacher salary, the Department of Highways has kids with 4 year college degrees in Civil Engineer Technology and they only wish they made $30,000 a year.
Thanks Vic, if you decide to run for Governor you have a vote here and a campaign worker. After King Joe’s reign I am ready to change from a demo to a rep!!!
I hope the powers that be give the teachers a bigger raise then 2.5%. I just finished working in my room today a Sunday for 2 hours. I also finished lesson plans that took about 2 hours 3 day week, it usually takes 3 hours. This of course does not include the prep time I still need to do. I do not get overtime. I love my job but get really frustrated over the pay. I have taught 25 years and make what a entry level person makes in the business world. There is something not right. Education is the way out, we not only teach but we are expected to be the chilren’s parents in some cases. When are parents going to be held accountable for their children……I would also like repect. Help us!
Mr. Sprouse,
Could you please tell me why the Legislature/Governor is giving our teachers
pay raises, while service personnel get puny, one-time bonuses? Service
personnel continue to fall further and further behind in salaries, thus, giving
us less money for retirement. It is grossly UNFAIR to forget about service
personnel when raises are given. We deserve THE SAME PERCENTAGE RAISE as
teachers! You folks in Charleston need to realize that if the SERVICE
PERSONNEL weren’t here to do our jobs, there wouldn’t be jobs for the teachers,
administrators, etc., to do.
Please seriously consider a cost of living raise for school service personnel.
And when you give raises, please give them at the BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR,
so that all the county offices don’t have problems with their payrolls!!!
Thanks for your consideration and help.
I agree with #6..keep doing the same thing and expecting different results…that’s the FOOLS motto. Get real WV!! the DEmocraps have been in charge for over 50 years in this state and it is still considered one of the poorest states in the union. Hmmmm…keep voting them dems in! This states has some of lowest paid teachers..Hmmm.keep it up wV..keep those dems coming! Just because “By GOlly, Mom and DAd were DEms and so am I” seems to be the motto..the truth is: THE DEMOCRAT PARTY IS NOT MOM AND DAD’S PARTY ANY MORE!!
I have a book you all should read.. it’s by Peter Marshall and David Manuel called ”
Sounding Forth the Trumpet”. This book talks about the days in America between 1837-1860 and how it was before the Civil War. John Adams stood his ground..because the government didn’t care about what the people wanted..they did their own thing. Good reading..(thoughtful for educated people).. but do it with an open mind and look at what’s going today. Maybe we need a NEW civil War! But there aren’t enough Good Americans to march on Washington or Charleston any more..they all want hand-outs!! Let’s go WV…keep those Dems coming! AFter all they haven’t done anything yet..think they just might???
I enjoyed your notes of the Governor Manchin’s speech. I was quite disturbed and am quite upset of what he thinks about his very own staff, meaning the state employees. I have never had a Governor that thought less of his state employees. I have served West Virginia for 32 years and have never felt so down on my job in all those 32 years. Even though I think our teachers are not paid enough too, I don’t think they deserve any more of a pay raise than I do. I put in more hours than they do and I have a very stressful job. Also, I am being led to believe that our agency has tried to get raises for its employees and the Governor has said “NO” to that too. Well I think he is sending a clear message to me and other state employees and I’m afraid to say that you get what you pay for. He isn’t only hurting state employees, he is hurting the whole state with his views and attitude. He clearly is the worst Governor this state has ever had. I will continue to check your website and share comments and views with other people. You have helped me in the past with problems and I appreciate the support. I think a person in your position should lend a helping hand and that you have done. Thank you.
Senator Sprouse….Education employees could be paid a decent salary if we eliminated wasteful spending in the local boards of education and the state department of education.
Let’s take a look at one county board of education. You may be surprised to know how state dollars are being budgeted…
First, in my county, we have MANY central office positions (supervisors/specialists- math, reading, other curriculum, LD, BD, MI, speech, student services, technology, nurses) that appear on the state audits as teachers. Plus, we employ at least sixteen directors, several assistant superintendents, and several positions funded through grants. In the midst of all these positions, this county is cutting nearly 30 teaching and service personnel positions. Wow, so much for middle management being the first to go!!!
Moving on to the state level…
Does anyone wonder how much money is spent on paying for national and global conferences that every Director/Supervisor of the State Department of Education attends? (Actually, I would just like to be the beneficiary of their frequent flyer miles!!! I would take that as my pay raise!!!)
We just MIGHT have money for pay raises IF the folks mentioned above stayed home for a change. Besides being expensive for taxpayers, attendees at these conferences drag home every “stray dog” initiative they can “pack into their state suitcases” (job security). Then, the real quest begins….to find a “sucker” county(ies), willing to “pilot” their newest “conference goodies”. Trust me, often the same counties tend to step up to the plate for those pilot programs, and many of them don’t make it through the first year!
Senator Sprouse…Don’t continue to buy into this way of thinking!!! We do NOT have to be the first to implement every new strategy and initiative! Examples: *First to implement all day kindergarten. *First to implement all day pre-school. *First to jump on Birth-to-Three. (This list also goes on and on with curriculum strategies…) Honestly, we could stand to save a few dollars by being second, third, or maybe even 47th!!!
As for other state workers who choose to tell education employees that they don’t deserve pay raises, look for wasted $$$ in your departments. Be productive and offer solutions (Robin) or suggestions. You never know, someone just might be reading or listening. But, it’s tacky to accuse another group of not deserving something, such as a payraise.
BTW…Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia still mandate half-day kindergarten, at half the expense of West Virginia’s full day service.