What is the deal with INDOT???????

[shesemsmom]

Is it true that all the Sub-District Managers were terminated today in a sweeping mass dismissal? Any body heard anything?

[Osamasux]

1. They are just missing a vowel.

[salin]

2. Haven't yet heard or read about it...

but would guess that we are going to see a whole lot of sweeping mass dismissals in the weeks to come.

[GreenArrow]

3. It is pure, unmitigated EVIL

Haven't heard about any mass termination, but INDOT (at the upper tier) does not work for the public good. If people were let go, it's probably because they were receptive to the public good, playing by the rules, actually paying attention to facts, and attempting to honestly gauge public opinion.

[shesemsmom]

4. I got a confirmation on it

it did happen. Is this how Mitch is gonna balance the budget. Oh yes the jobs were just ELIMINATED. They will be filled by people who all ready have plenty to do

[hippiechick]

5. At the risk of being flamed ...

I worked for the State my first year in Indy (98-99) and saw more 'employees' walking the halls and hanging out in the Gov't Center cafeterias at any given time of the day, than I could shake a stick at.

Co-workers would sit in the boss's office and talk about friends they had in common, their families, church, tv ... whatever. The public interest was NOT being served. Our caseload was over a year behind, and nobody seemed to give a damn (except me, which ultimately is why I got fired. Made too many waves.)

This state's beurocracy is bloated beyond control with no hiring/ employment guidelines (Imagine this: in Wisconsin you actually have to pass a test for the job you're applying for - just to have your resume CONSIDERED. It doesn't matter who you're related to - if you're not qualified, you're not in the hiring pool) and IMO something DOES need to be done.

Now, firing enmasse entire layers of people is probably not the WISEST way to go about it; but how else are they gonna get rid of the deadwood and start to clean up the disaster that currently is Indiana State Gov't ??

[thinkingwoman]

6. I agree

I haven't worked for the state, but my job lets me peek inside the bloated barges once in a while.

You're right about the need to clean house. Like you I think firing enmasse may not yield the best results (meaning some babies are going to get thrown out with the bath water), but something has to be done.

I think, btw, that part of the reason Mitch was elected was because average people in rural Indiana were sick of the corruption in state government. O'Bannon did Indiana Dems a huge disservice during his 8 years by not addressing these concerns.

[DrGonzoLives]

7. I'm tempted to agree

My summer at IDEM, it wasn't as bad (we were stuck waaaaaay out east on Shadeland) but there was still plenty of not-work going on.

Hopefully, Kernan's plan for consolidating the state government will go into effect, though I'm sure Bitch will twist it around enough that everyone will get screwed except for his corporate buddies.

[thinkingwoman]

8. Kernan had a plan?

That's news to me.

[salin]

9. unveiled just prior (or during the beginning) of the campaign.

Timing left it as a question mark... as in... just coming up with this plan now (before the election)... which is part of the problem he faced coming in to the governors office so late in the game (in terms of timing of the next election) - to have a plan which is more than a position piece (which an opposing candidate can have - given they are not currently in control - while a sitting candidate is expected to have clear details) requires a lot of time/planning to be developed in a sound way (eg in a way that doesn't do damage per the baby/bathwater analogy you made above). So it is possible that it took the time between his becoming governor and the campaign to get a realistic plan together (eg about 8 months) - but the timing still was just at the "well isn't that conveeeeenient" timing of the election - which, I believe, was the general perception/reception to the plan.

[thinkingwoman]

11. everything you say

is right on the money, as usual.

I was being a bit sarcastic, but the interesting timing of his plan was a big factor in his loss. Also, he didn't properly use the media. For example, my newspaper received numerous mailings and updates from the Republicans about their plan, but not so much as a press release from Kernan (and I spent the day with his wife last spring, so it wasn't as if they didn't know where my little paper was). The entire Kernan campaign stumbled along as if he didn't have his heart in it, and it showed.

If he really did want to be governor, his publicity wing did a horrible job with his campaign.

[salin]

12. That makes me sad to read

but sounds on the mark as well. Be it poor organization (the state party and many local party organizations really have some work to do), or lack of heart - the campaign didn't get out in front on issues. They had a couple of effective tv ads, but as far as I could see that was about it. Even with the timing - savvy marketing and use of the media to roll it out - in digestable chunks, with real numbers, and emphasizing the timing due to his short term (without sounding whiney and then attracting negatives by seemingly pointing blame at O'Bannon and worse at his death)... could have given people who liked him (he is very well liked around the state) more too hang their hat on.

[thinkingwoman]

14. yep, I'd like to see the Indiana Dems

clean house a bit too. They need to gather up some of the grass roots people with energy and vision and put them into positions of authority.

My parents met Kernan and really liked him. I haven't met him but spent several delightful hours with his wife.

It just goes to show that likeability can't get you elected--at least not unless you flaunt it with good campaigning.

Indiana Dems can learn from this though, and regroup. It won't hurt them to let Mitch clean up some of the beaurocratic mess at the state level and make new messes of his own in the meantime. By the time the next election comes along, most voters will have completely forgotten Kernan's lackluster race as long as the Dems are unified and active.

[Voltaire]

13. The thing is that they WILL fire folks enmasse

and the good will have to suffer with the bad. Anybody got a job for me, let me know. There is some truth in what you say but there is a lot of hyperbole that goes on with the "image" of State Employees. They don't pay us shit and they expect top-line performance. And now, of course, since the budget is fucked we are merely "weeds" and expendable. We have some damned hard workers in my particular area and a good working relationship too. Now going to work is hell because you don't know who will be next....maybe you...maybe me. All on the altar of political expediency. Same as it ever was. The budget will be balanced on the backs of state employees....GOOD and BAD. And the people of the State of Indiana will be the losers.

Hate to say to folks that I told them so...but.

[hippiechick]

15. True dat

I was speaking from my own personal experience, of which you were a first-hand witness.

I would disagree a little, though on your statement re: "...they expect top-line performance..." I don't know that managers in State Gov't expect top notch performance more than they expect 'keep us out of the news' performance. The citizens of the state, however, should expect top notch performance, and be willing to compensate State Employees to encourage same.

[thinkingwoman]

16. can I ask...

what are state employees paid?

[hippiechick]

17. Not much over minimum wage.

I was a 'Program Coordinator' for Victim's Services.
I have a 4 year degree and at the time had about 2 years experience
in the field.

My starting salary was $18,500/yr.
When I left, I was making $23,500 (about 18 months later).

Not nearly enough for a single mother to raise a child and run a household on.

[thinkingwoman]

18. sadly, that's on par with the private sector

My husband and I supported two small children on 25,000/yr 5 years ago, so I know how hard it is.

And yes, we're both college educated. In my case (since my parents didn't pay for my education) I got a lot of debt with no tangible increase in earning power. But that's a topic for another thread.

We run our own business now, and take home (together), less than 40,000. Still nothing like we supposedly should earn, but much better than what it used to be.

I think it is important to note that wages across the board in Indiana are depressed. State worker pay appears to be in line with everyone else.

P.S. That was a good raise in 18 months! You must have done a great job.

[hippiechick]

19. Thanks ~ that's the ironic part ...

I did such a great job that they fired me once the caseload was brought current. Seems my boss didn't have a degree or any background (she was a leftover from the Bayh Administration and was given the position as a 'thank you') but did have a huge complex and got rid of everyone who she felt 'threatened' by.

I went to work in the private sector - as an Administrative Assistant, nothing to do with my degree or my experience - and STARTED at $27,000. 5 years later, still with the same company, I'm making twice what I made at CJI, but not doing anything that's worth a damn to society.

It's a prime example of how priorities in our society are so farked up. Teachers, public service, and in my case - working with assault victims, murder victims families, etc - helping people through their most troubling times - and our services aren't 'valued' enough to pay us a living wage. But asswads on Faux, obnoxious athletes and greedy CEO's make zillions a year.

[thinkingwoman]

20. that's capitalism for you

You landed a job in the private sector that pays you a more appropriate salary.

Hold onto it. They're not that plentiful, especially outside of Indy.

[LiberalFighter]

10. They can be terminated

I may not have it precise but

If they can hire or fire... termination eligible
If they make policy... termination eligible


The Commission Boards are a different animal... they were created by the State Legislator under law and serve a set term. They cannot be fired or terminated. They can be removed at best for proper cause provided under state law.

The bitch can go **** himself and every Board Member should tell him that.