Education Minnesota president urges passage of school levies

Voters in the Saint Francis School District will go to the polls on election day
to decide if that district will get a property tax increase. Numerous school levies
have failed in the recent past and it will be interesting to see if one can pass
in this economic and political environment.
Maybe the district is having a tough time because it isn't upfront about things.
Twice in one recent news article found the district to be less than
forthcoming.
First, one resident complained that teachers make an excellent salary for only working
186 days a year under the district's contract with the teachers. Superintendent
Ed Saxton countered that many teachers work more than 186 days with some working
as many as 260.
That may be true, but it's also true that teachers are paid extra for working these
days. The response clearly misleads the reader into believing that teachers work
more days for the same amount of money.
Second, the district will not finalize its new collective bargaining agreement with
teachers until after the levy. If the district and the teachers want a property
tax increase, they should engage in a good faith gesture by finalizing their contract
prior to the levy vote in order to show voters exactly what teachers are (or are
not) doing to share in the economic pain the taxpayers are feeling.

The Pioneer Press released a comprehensive, easy to use database

http://www.twincities.com/dataplanet

listing the salary and other employment data regarding thousands of Minnesota public servants. This searchable database is exactly the kind of tool watchdogs and other interested citizens need to educate not only ourselves but our neighbors with respect just how large and uncontrollable government has become. It's about time the major newspapers did something valuable to contribute to the public discourse regarding the size and scope of government.

One of the shortcomings of the database is that it doesn't cover city

government, but this is still a helpful tool.

(The most recent data is from 2008.)

A sampling of two of the big spenders:

Anoka County has 54 employees who make more than $100,000 in salary, to go along with gold-plated benefits.

Steve Novak, chief lobbyist makes nearly $134,000.

The Anoka County Sherrif's Office alone has 10 employees making more than $100,000.

is it really necessary to pay a cop $100,000?

Is it necessary to pay the guy who runs the recycling operation $101,000?

The County's "application services manager" makes $100,000.

The "director of income maintenance" makes $110,000.

Does the parks and recreation director need $116,000?

Anoka-Hennepin Schools:

The district has 56 employees who make more than $100,000 per year.

The superintendent leads the way at $155,000.

Many of the bureaucrats in the $100,000 grand club are assistant principles. Save some money and eliminate their jobs. Sound far fetched? Just last week, the Wall Street Journal ran an article noting that many of America's most successful companies are eliminating "assistant" executive positions, finding that they offer little value.

With big salaries, Cadillac health plans and defined-benefit retirements, no wonder we're in trouble. It's easy to see that government is fast approaching a day of fiscal reckoning, just like the airlines, the auto makers, and other old-line industries

experienced. Government's labor cost structure is unsustainable, even with big, job-killing tax hikes. Just take a look at California if you want an example of governmental collapse. Even with big tax hikes, major cuts and accounting gimmicks, that state is facing a budget deficit that may equal fully 1/3rd of the total budget.

Recession or not, we have government institutions who are spending money faster than taxpayer ability to pay. At some point Atlas WILL shrug.

Vote NO! Education Minnesota always has its Hand out. In St Paul the last levie that was passed the Pionner Press found that 80% did not go to Schools but went to Union wage increases and benefits.
Ever think about were Education Minnesota gets the Millions to spend on advertising? From Property owners! If you want to get Rich, dont buy a Lottery ticket, Just get a Government Job!