Has the Fairfax County Executive suggested that the top exec's in county government take a 1% pay cut? How come no discussion of furloughs , say 1 day a quater for county employees? I think last year some 400 job cuts were implemented but I believe in reality only 65 people lost their jobs by shifting folks around.. Are the supervisors scared of the county employees? Over in Montgomery County furloughs have ben recommended along with exec's taking a pay cut.

As a county employee for 28 years, we have done our jobs for fairly low wages for years while private industry gave employees, large bonuses, trips, and lots of perks that our lawmakers allow them to get away with. Now that the corporate fat cats are not knocking the bottom out of the federal govt with their bloated profit margins and their employees cannot afford their BMWs and over priced homes, those who quietly did their jobs for years making ends meet are expected to do with even less. Perhaps take the salaries from those you elected to the Board of Supervisors, They are the ones who begged and lured companies like Exxon Mobil and a multitude of others to locate here providing them with services and tax breaks that the homeowners are stuck paying. What you see is a county, who in good economic times likes to give the school board whatever they ask for and start up frivolus social programs that lure people here who have never contributed to the countys coffer, but reap the benefits of others tax contributions. Cutting county workers salaries may seem like an easy fix but hurt those who have had no responsibility in creating the problem. The short story is that everyone wants and expects good services in Fairfax, but they dont really want to be expected to pay for them,,,,

That may be true for local and state government, but is not always the case with federal/intel work. Some companies have been hit fairly hard, but others are doing just fine.

Lawmakers have no say as to whether or not a privately held company can pay out bonuses as long as that company isn't taking bailout money. General Dynamics, IBM, Microsoft, and others are free to pay out bonuses, send their employees on trips, and give them other perks because it's their money, not the government's.

Whenever one of these companies bids on a federal contract, the bill rates are agreed upon by the company and the government agency that has the contract. Once that agreement is made, the company can do whatever they want with the profit they make.

Go ask Gerry
+1

To expand on that, the problem is with the schools. Absolutely no transparency or accountability. This is why their spending has increased 40% in the last 8 years while the spending for other services, such as Parks and Libraries has only increased by 19%.

If only someone could pierce the schools veil of secrecy. I believe that the Examiner had a few FOIA requests for salaries, which Fairfax County honored, but the school system has managed to avoid somehow. If only some entity could get those salaries, you would find out how much they are paying all those Administrators and Old teachers.

The Board of Supervisors has failed to give any type of due diligence when it comes to looking at spending for the schools. It just isn't politically viable to reign in spending on schools, so we are stuck paying about $700,000,000 more this year alone for the schools than we did in 2001.

(School Budget in 2001 was $1,080,482,175, and in 2009 it was $1,781,233,897. Thats a 39% increase in spending)


Budget Archives:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/archives/FY_2001/FY_2001_vol_1.htm

Ffx co on the whole is a wonderful endeavor. We take so much for granted. BUT the county budget has been out of control for years...way out of step when compared to population growth and inflation. Way too involved in stoopid projects, e.g. westwood apartments. But here's the real shocker to be reckoned with: county pensions. There is a municiple pension bubble that is going to burst all over the nation. The citizenry blithly slept while Ffx and other boards allowed salary creep and generous pension plans that those of us in the private sector don't even dream of to grow to their current extremes.

We're reaching an entitlement moment of truth. It will be resolved and alignerd to reality. And it will be a noisey and painful process.

For the civil servant: Please remember that the private sector risks their capital and time to reap the rewards. It's the taxes from their investment in property, the taxes on their profits, the fees and licenses to do business, the taxes paid by employees on property and income, etcetera, that creates the money used to operate the civil service.

Civil servants do some awesome work. Many earn less than they could in the private sector, but the benefits outweigh the risks of jumping the fence, expecially in a down economy.

You should cheer huge coporate profits. That leads to more taxes collected to purchase a more robust civil service. Fairfax County does not give tax breaks to corporations without the expectation of something in return.

By the way: When my employer provide me a gift, they add the value to my earnings and I pay taxes on it.

Now if you want to discuss county policy that encourages people to move here to enjoy social services without earning money or paying taxes, I'm in.

I wonder just how much ALL OF THE ILLEGAL ALIENS (not just the presupposed Hispanic one) cost the county a year for services? If all of the illegals were deported and kept out, I am sure there would be a less draw for services on county resources.

Piggy Wrote:
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> I wonder just how much ALL OF THE ILLEGAL ALIENS
> (not just the presupposed Hispanic one) cost the
> county a year for services? If all of the illegals
> were deported and kept out, I am sure there would
> be a less draw for services on county resources.


Take a look at California , poster children for "we embrace diversity" even though it is illegal and putting the state in the poor house. Amazing how we fear the taliban and Al Qaeda so much while we allow Congress to give the country away.

Fairfax has done furlough days, did a couple last year and no exec is going to volunteer for a pay cut. get real.

Shadow Wrote:
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> Fairfax has done furlough days, did a couple last
> year and no exec is going to volunteer for a pay
> cut. get real.

Executives at my company took a 4% pay cut when we got no raises last year. Now, obviously for executive compensation they can afford 4% pay cuts more than the rest of us can afford 0% pay raises (and thus lose 3% of compensation to inflation. But they did take it, and I was glad they were suffering with us.

"You should cheer huge coporate profits. That leads to more taxes collected to purchase a more robust civil service. Fairfax County does not give tax breaks to corporations without the expectation of something in return."

Much of it's coming from tax breaks in the stimulus. The NOL carrybacks were expanded to 5 years. That's why tax receipts are falling. Instead of creating jobs, the money is being paid out in exorbitant bonuses to corporate executives for lousy performance.

Les Wrote:
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> Much of it's coming from tax breaks in the
> stimulus. The NOL carrybacks were expanded to 5
> years. That's why tax receipts are falling.
> Instead of creating jobs, the money is being paid
> out in exorbitant bonuses to corporate executives
> for lousy performance.

Public companies: Executive bonuses mostly depend on maximizing shareholder value (or minimizing losses in a down economy) and meeting BoD goals.

Private Companies: Executive bonuses are shared profits.

Tax receipts fall when sales fall.

Wonder what percentage of County employees are not native born or first generation these days? Yeah I know I'm a racist.

Fairfax County does not fear al Qaeda. Fairfax County creates a tolerant, accommodating atmosphere in which Muslim terrorists are educated and nurtured.

Thanks Gerry Connolly.

What percentage of county employees actually reside in Fairfax County?

Piggy Wrote:
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> What percentage of county employees actually
> reside in Fairfax County?


What percentage of County employees can *afford* to reside in Fairfax County. I know I would if I could.

War on terror is cover for US expansionism. It's worth wording reading Thomas PM Barnett's Pentagon's New Map to see the real intent behind GWOT. It was written in the early 90's after the Soviet empire disintegrated. The US military has been encircling the Russia, China, and the countries rich in natural resources. Russia, Iran, and Qatar own 50% of the world's natural gas reserves. It's plain to see who's next after the US has built up basing in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

I suggested an "Executive Furlough Day" where each head of a department who earns over 6 figures take a personal furlough day of their choice. This could be when their deputy or whoever is able to be there so critical functions are not left undone.

County Supervisor told me that would not be "effective" because no one would notice the budget cut, like they do if the library opens later or a 911 call takes awhile to answer. In other words, no one would miss the 6 figure executives.

Why do we need those people again?

Why does the County chopping block start with janitors and/orlow level grunt workers and work its way up?

If the Janitor takes a furlough day, trash cans over floweth and everyone misses the janitor. No one would miss TOny Griffin.

Pentagon's New Map was written to help predict those unstable, volatile regions where the US military would be involved in the future.

If you speculate beyond that purpose, that is your choice. But that does not mean the idea has any basis in truth.

Take a look at the school's budget. The interest that the schools pay on their debt alone is almost as much money as the entire Family Services budget!. It's more than the police department's entire budget. It's more than the fire department's or entire budget. I think it's pretty obvious, looking at this one chart, where the problem is.

Why aren't the school salaries being FOIA'd? They're public employees and their salaries are public information. I'd like to see that.
Attachments:

While I would somewhat agree that government workers may make less than the private sector they also have what amounts to tenure. You just do not hear of government workers being fired for poor performance.

If all else fails do as the women did at TJ high school, help yourself to a few hundred thousand dollars of taxpayer money.

Hey Kobersteen! I survive by living in Fairfax on State pay! It can be done and not have to live down in Hybla Valley!

trogdor! Wrote:
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> Take a look at the school's budget. The interest
> that the schools pay on their debt alone is
> almost as much money as the entire Family Services
> budget!. It's more than the police department's
> entire budget. It's more than the fire
> department's or entire budget. I think it's
> pretty obvious, looking at this one chart, where
> the problem is.
>
> Why aren't the school salaries being FOIA'd?
> They're public employees and their salaries are
> public information. I'd like to see that.

Yes but it is blasphemy to even suggest in Fairfax County that the schools do not get whatever they ask for. All the other agencies for decades could not hire more employees or expand with the increase in population. There are a few vocal people who have the battle cry that everyone comes here for the fantastic school system. Go to Baileys cross roads or Herndon and if you can find someone who speaks English, ask them why they came to Fairfax, again, thanks Gerry for the unprecedented increase in school population numbers. It isnt because more homes are currently being built...

If a person even suggests the idea of reducing educational services in Fairfax County Public Schools, some people raise a huge stink.

A couple people who voted in the Bolognese/Filler-Corn election a few weeks ago were quoted in the free local paper as saying something like "I refuse to vote for someone who believes in reining in our educational spending on any services."

We should spend as much money as possible on schools, apparently.

Did they ever put a stop to cops and firemen driving county vehicles home to fucking Front Royal and such?

Those motherfuckers need to commute in their own fucking cars like everybody else. And I don't want to hear that bullshit about how they need to "respond" to emergencies. They're too fucking far away to respond anyway! Let them put blue lights and sirens on their cars and they can pick up a county vehicle when they get here!

Education is without question the most important function of a county government. It is only just and right that it has the lion's share of the budget. Education is the key to the continued and long-term prosperity and competitiveness of our county and our nation.

And this is from someone who has no intention of EVER having a child in Fairfax Count Public Schools, as excellent as they are.

Nazis felt the same way about schools. Had to make sure children were not raised thinking incorrectly about government.

Im sure Gerry wants this from all County residents.
Attachments:

You obviously didn't read the book. It plainly lays out the areas of the world which are not closely connected into the US economic sphere of influence. It prescribes military intervention in those areas by a US-led quick strike force and the long-term occupation of those areas by a multinational force.

Les Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You obviously didn't read the book. It plainly
> lays out the areas of the world which are not
> closely connected into the US economic sphere of
> influence. It prescribes military intervention in
> those areas by a US-led quick strike force and the
> long-term occupation of those areas by a
> multinational force.

There's a lot of stupidity out there trying to make money by fearmongering catering to people who don't think critically about an argument, or the arguments against it. I don't need to read all of it to know I don't need to read it.

Piggy Wrote:
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> Im sure Gerry wants this from all County
> residents.

Well, Gerry's now a Congressman, so he's not as concerned about school budgets anymore. I don't like the guy and never voted for him, but that's not where his concern is. It's in getting pork from Washington for Fairfax County, no matter the cost.

We should hold our schools accountable for the moeny they get and how they use it, absolutely. But that's much different from saying "They get a lot of money!"

Bob McDonnell Saves Virginia Taxpayers $80K in Transition
BY Mary Katharine Ham
March 1, 2010 3:25 PM
ShareThis
This is great news, both in practice and symbolically. The new governor of Virginia aimed to save $40,000 from his transition budget, but managed to save the taxpayers $80,000 through a system of scrimping that taxpayers will no doubt appreciate during these tough times:


The grungy office space, used supplies and limited freshening of the official gubernatorial quarters paid off...

That $80,000 -- enough to cover the average salary of two entry-level teachers -- will revert to the general fund if not used by June 30. That's the same general fund that lawmakers are trying to plug through $4 billion in cuts.


"We tried to be creative, cut out what we didn't need, and looked for new ways of doing things and covering costs," McDonnell said. "It added up to some saved dollars, and I appreciate what our team was able to do."

McDonnell has also cut salaries in his Cabinet, and taken a pay cut, himself. Both his Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinnelli saved a nice chunk of their transition budgets as well.

Some of the savings in McDonnell's budget came from the use of "donated services" to move him from his Henrico County home into the Governor's Mansion? I would have loved to find out McDonnell invited over a group of neighborhood and church buddies to move his stuff in exchange for beers and pizza, but it looks like a Virginia company donated its services to the governor.

The Times-Dispatch detailed the frugal transition back before McDonnell had exceeded his savings goal. Some, particularly liberals, will say $80,000 is nothing but gimmickry and symbolism, but a) it's real money and taxpayers will recognize that and b) this is exactly the kind of anecdote that sticks with voters. McDonnell is wise to communicate fiscally conservative values in ways both big and small:


Inside well-worn state office space with bare walls and shabby carpet, Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell's transition team is using leftover campaign office supplies and state surplus office furniture that is decades old.

Only parts of the administration's future home in the Patrick Henry Building will get a fresh coat of paint, and the McDonnell family is looking to design on a dime at the Executive Mansion.



Maybe the Fairfax County board should look at some of his ideas. First politician I remember taking a pay cut as well as his entire cabinet,

Article a couple Sundays ago in Washington Post about poor condition of Massey Building in Fairfax City. Is this a way to start campaign towards a new building by the county? How about the county leasing office space long term in one of the many empty office buildings around the county? I'd think rental rates would be scrumptious these days and I'd think better than going with a whole new building. Sell the land were the Massey building is for a sweetheart deal to Fairfax City and they can do another whacky development project like the rest of downtown Fairfax City.

Joe,

I think the sweetheart deals are gone as far as selling the Massey property to Fairfax City. The other problem is just one of proximity to the courthouses and the jails. There may be a good reason for having the sheriffs close to those facilities. But, still, you have a point. If there is not a good reason, they should look for those cheap rents!

Apparently FCPS is not in a budget crisis as they are considering the option of building a new elementary school near Liberty Middle. The campaign to start this new taxpayer burden was started with trying to make taxpayers believe Clifton Elementary is falling down (not true) and therefore a big new 950 student school needs to be built. Just look at the Southwestern Regional Planning Committee info on the FCPS website. Just putting the costs of the building aside, if they don't have the money to pay teachers now and are cutting programs, doesn't anybody wonder where the money is going to come from to staff a school of that size? What about the costs of landscaping, lighting, transportation for a school of that size, etc.? Once they get at least one person on the Subcommittee to say they need a new school so that option is in the report, then they can get the ball rolling to raise taxes again to pay for the rest of it. Nothing has changed. Bet money they don't close Clifton Elementary either and will turn it into some type of Admin building. Thus, it really isn't going save money at all. Just more politics to get taxpayers to fork out more money for their empire building.

FCPS school board also approved a new south county middle school a few weeks ago. A short report about it was on the FCPS website, but it received little notice in the media.

Build new schools, but neglect old school buildings that need maintenance or renovation. TJ and West Springfield High School, for example.

So they can't afford the programs and teachers they have got now and are cutting everything yet they are going to build a new Middle School. How are they going to pay for and hire the teachers, etc. for that? Then they are going to build a 950 student school over by Liberty Middle. How are they going to pay for and hire the teachers, etc. for that? Even if they took teachers from Clifton it is a much smaller school so it won't help much. No wonder the County Budget is a disaster. Something like 54% of the budget goes to the schools and they are spending uncontrollably. Then they threaten the parents with cuts and tell them to point fingers at the County Supervisors for not giving them more money. If you really want to say something about the budget, you need to contact the School Board Members and tell them to stop building more schools into the economy improves. Many people would like to buy new houses right now but they can't afford it so they don't. Why doesn't this logic seem apply to the Board Members and the building and purchases of new schools?

The local School Board is out of touch. Nationally there are a lot of places that are closing schools right now - not building new ones! FCPS is ignoring the budget crisis in our County.

Posted by: Kardinal

>Education is without question the most important function of a county >government. It is only just and right that it has the lion's share of the >budget. Education is the key to the continued and long-term prosperity and >competitiveness of our county and our nation.

>And this is from someone who has no intention of EVER having a child in Fairfax >Count Public Schools, as excellent as they are.


So where do you teach?