Do We Need To Draw You A Picture?

Secretary of State, Regena Thomas has three photographers on her department’s payroll. Jerry Casciano, director of the "Gov.'s Photo Lab" earns $108,842, photographer Jennifer Caruso is paid $45,276 and photographer Courtney Burke is paid $36,529.50, according to documents supplied by the Department of State. No information was provided on the total cost of medical insurance, pensions and other state provided benefits for the three employees.

"After our continuing review of what's going on in Secretary of State Regena Thomas' office, I just can't in my wildest dreams understand why she would be controlling about $200,000 worth of photographers out of her office," Assemblyman Joseph Malone, R-Burlington, the ranking Republican on the Assembly Budget Committee, told Millennium Radio.

Apparently our illustrious Secretary of State Regena Thomas can’t imagine why her office needs these essential services either:

A spokeswoman for Thomas confirmed that the three photographers are still on the payroll, but told Millennium she "doesn't know what the pictures are used for or where the photo lab is."

Thankfully Acting Governor Codey knows:

Kelley Heck, spokeswoman for acting Gov. Richard J. Codey, said in an e-mail that staff photographers take pictures at events attended by the governor and their pictures "are used for a variety of purposes within the governor's office."

Heck, this may even be a bargain, how much did we pay for McGreevey to have his portrait painted as part of his transition to “private life”?