2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumO'Malley:A bargain shopper like no other: or how to pay $61 for chairs taxpayers bought for $6,200.
I read O'Malley purchased a set of 4 chairs from the gov mansion for $61 (with an original cost of $6,200). Wow, I would think the state could have gotten more at a yard sale (or left them in the gov mansion so the taxpayers did not have to purchase new furniture).
Yeah, I know the ethics committee controlled by the Democrats said it was okay but the Repub. state prosecutor is looking at it and the other furniture purchases. It's sad that neither party seems to want to hold their own members accountable. But saying the other side does it too is not a valid excuse.
Sad indeed.
OMalley purchase of furniture from mansion being probed by prosecutor
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/county-states-attorney-investigating-omalley-furniture-purchase/2016/01/14/b34646b2-bb24-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html
Thanks to what looks like a generous interpretation of state rules, by some pliable state officials, Mr. OMalley, a Democrat who left office in January, was allowed to purchase much of the governors mansions residential furniture 54 pieces from the familys bedrooms and living rooms for the attractive price of $9,638; the original price of those items, billed to taxpayers, was $62,000.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/martin-omalley-bargain-shopper/2015/09/01/fe2803c8-50ee-11e5-933e-7d06c647a395_story.html?tid=a_inl
The OMalley shopping spree at the governors mansion a $750 chest snagged for $7.50; an $892 table snapped up for $8.93; a set of four chairs, originally $6,200 for $61 has now been referred to the state Ethics Commission. Whatever the outcome, the verdict is clear: It reflects exactly the sense of entitlement on the part of public officials that turns voters stomachs.
Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)Skwmom
(12,685 posts)Orangepeel
(13,933 posts)exboyfil
(17,863 posts)The furniture should have gone to a public auction. That is what happens in the companies I have worked for. Employees have an inside track by knowing what is going to auction, but the employees and general public are equal bidders for the items. It seems all the elites act in this fashion. I knew as a young engineer that you have a fiduciary duty to your employer. A state employee/public servant should be at least as ethical especially those in leadership positions.
Skwmom
(12,685 posts)Orangepeel
(13,933 posts)The State pays governors a salary. It subsidizes their family's health insurance. It doesn't charge them rent to live in the mansion. It allows them to buy the furniture they've been using for years as they leave office for, perhaps, less than it might get at an auction.
It isn't secret and the state has a process to get a referendum by petition. If people think the governor should get less, they should make it so.
Skwmom
(12,685 posts)You can really add a qualifier with a straight face?