Corzine’s Curious Notion Of Essential and Non-Essential State Services
Who determines what are essential and non-essential state services? We assume the Governor has broad powers to make this decision. The Governor has determined casino monitors are non-essential and the courts have upheld the Governor’s prerogatives. So, the casinos will have to close tomorrow morning unless a budget agreement is reached.
Meanwhile, several state departments and services most folks would consider non-essential will remain up and running. For example, Corzine created a new Office of the Public Advocate this year and obviously the citizens of New Jersey had managed quite well without it. However, Corzine has apparently deemed staffing of this department essential during the government shutdown.
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will be staffed during the shut down with a list of personnel as long as your arm. The Motor Vehicle Commission has closed its doors and has a skeleton staff on duty.
As time goes by perhaps the Governor’s priorities will change, but it is curious money making services have been shut down and some money eating services keep right on spending.
Meanwhile, several state departments and services most folks would consider non-essential will remain up and running. For example, Corzine created a new Office of the Public Advocate this year and obviously the citizens of New Jersey had managed quite well without it. However, Corzine has apparently deemed staffing of this department essential during the government shutdown.
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will be staffed during the shut down with a list of personnel as long as your arm. The Motor Vehicle Commission has closed its doors and has a skeleton staff on duty.
As time goes by perhaps the Governor’s priorities will change, but it is curious money making services have been shut down and some money eating services keep right on spending.
Posted by Enlighten-NewJersey @ 12:12 PM
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2 Comments:
191 people in the "Department of State"? Three of them are "essential"?
Alice in Wonderland.
Until this week, I thought my husband - a hardworking, tax paying, dedicated Senior Probation Officer was a important part of the functionality of this State; in his own way. All of his co-workers are like us, and all of them are without pay this week. Does anyone realize that his "intesive supervision" caseload of probationers are very aware that their P.O. is not on duty, nor will they be drug tested or have to report to court this week? So, we won't pay our bills and my husband will work 2x as hard processing the people that violate their probation tonight....thank you Mr. Corzine...and my 3 small children say thank you too!
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