More on the Owens Cronyist Retention Program
Yesterday the Post reported that Bill Owens illegally guaranteed 23 of his cronies jobs in the Bill Ritter administration. The Rocky swiftly covered Owens' denial. (My thread on the exchange here.)
Today, the Post responded with a pair of stories. In the first, the paper reported Owens' attempt to blame the situation on a rogue staffer:
Owens said the decision to alter the contracts - in violation of state law and personnel rules - was made by Jeff Wells, his executive director of personnel and administration. "Had we known how this would be perceived, my administration certainly would have vetted it and might have reached a different conclusion," Owens said in a telephone interview.
But Diane Carman used her column to blast the GOP's culture of cronyism:
When it comes to feeding at the public trough, few have been as brazen as Bill Owens' cronies. Then again, few public officials have been as creative as the former governor about devising ways to funnel taxpayers' money to pals without enduring the tedious business of equal employment opportunity rules or public scrutiny.
The sweet job protection program for 23 Owens appointees that was revealed Wednesday by Post reporter Mark Couch is only the latest chapter in an eight-year saga of flagrant disregard for state personnel laws and utter contempt for the civil service system.
Bill Ritter has put a stop to the Cronyist Retention Program. But it bears underlining: The GOP of today has abandoned the principles of small government and increased competition.
Cross-posted at SquareState.
Today, the Post responded with a pair of stories. In the first, the paper reported Owens' attempt to blame the situation on a rogue staffer:
Owens said the decision to alter the contracts - in violation of state law and personnel rules - was made by Jeff Wells, his executive director of personnel and administration. "Had we known how this would be perceived, my administration certainly would have vetted it and might have reached a different conclusion," Owens said in a telephone interview.
But Diane Carman used her column to blast the GOP's culture of cronyism:
When it comes to feeding at the public trough, few have been as brazen as Bill Owens' cronies. Then again, few public officials have been as creative as the former governor about devising ways to funnel taxpayers' money to pals without enduring the tedious business of equal employment opportunity rules or public scrutiny.
The sweet job protection program for 23 Owens appointees that was revealed Wednesday by Post reporter Mark Couch is only the latest chapter in an eight-year saga of flagrant disregard for state personnel laws and utter contempt for the civil service system.
Bill Ritter has put a stop to the Cronyist Retention Program. But it bears underlining: The GOP of today has abandoned the principles of small government and increased competition.
Cross-posted at SquareState.
Labels: Bill Owens, GOP corruption, GOP Cronyist Retention Programs
1 Comments:
I originally attempted to publish this story at 12:43p, as indicated. Due to Internet gremlins, it didn't actually go online until 5:11p. Sorry for any confusion.
Post a Comment
<< Home