Ticked Off!

Imagine that you had an employee who neglected doing his job duties during his regular work day, and then wanted you to pay him overtime to get his work done. How would YOU handle such an employee? Most likely you would reprimand the employee. What if it happened over and over again? You'd probably have to fire him.

That's EXACTLY what is happening in the state of Kentucky with our legislature. In the legislative sessions that end on the even numbered years, the legislature's only constitutionally required goal is to pass a budget. Sure, they can pass other laws if they need to and want to, but they're REQUIRED to pass a budget. And in three out of the last four budget years the legislature has been unable to pass a budget. As a result, this year the governor will have to call a special session before July 1 so that a budget can be passed. This special session is tantamount to overtime for the legislators, and it's overtime to the tune of $64,000 a day. At a minimum a special session would last a week, meaning taxpayers will be out $320,000 because of legislators' dawdling.

And don't be fooled--they really did dawdle around, especially at the beginning of the session. Most bills were not introduced until a couple of weeks into the session. Why? Legislators wanted to wait until the filing deadline for this November's election had passed. They didn't want to tick off anyone who might consider running against them.

I'm a political moderate, and proud of it. I don't get riled up easily. I'm not a Tea Party candidate, and I've also never given money to ACORN. But I have to say, I am absolutely FURIOUS over the legislature's inability to get their one job done. I've always laughed at the people who say "Vote all incumbents out of office!" but now I have to admit that I think they may be right.

I think it's time we did what ANY boss would do in our situation: it's time to fire the whole lot them!