Secretary Judge had a number of options in managing this event
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:25 am
Ms. Judge held a press conference before the Mothers Day hiatus in which she claimed her hands were tied and she could do nothing about the furloughs. Excuse me, when did the legislature instruct the furloughs to be on Fridays? The plan was ½ day per week or 2 days per month. The department heads were to manage how and when the plan was executed.
She chose the Firemen First Principle. This Principle holds that when a telegram data bureaucracy is faced with budget cuts, it threatens to cut the most essential services, like Firemen, first. This will anger the voters, who will in turn pressure their legislators to not make the budget cuts. In this particular case, Judge is furloughing the meat inspectors when they are needed most, before two of the biggest days of the year for the restaurant industry. Her timing is the epitome of cynicism.
Most Iowans like to think their elected officials operate in the best interest of the citizenry. We like living in Iowa where politics is not the main topic of conversation. If we wanted our elected officials to act like politicians, we’d all move to Illinois. But Patty Judge thinks we need a good dose of politics, especially now when many state services will be examined.
Iowans believe that our elected officials will try their best to keep us from spending ourselves into fiscal oblivion. Patty Judge knows that her department is far less significant than Education, Human Services, or others. Nice try, Patty, but the Firemen First Principle is really another way of rubbing our noses in it. Next November, let’s hope the voters remember which option Patty Judge chose. For the $85,429 we pay her, we deserve better.
posted by David Hogberg 5:01 PM archived Trackback (0)
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ON THE BLOGOSPHERE
Some good ones out there in Blogistan today. Dr. Manhattan at Blissful Knowledge has some good advice for President Bush. The Daily Rant takes issue with those in the media now criticizing the Bush Administration for issuing terrorism warnings. This one in Coyote at the Dog Show appeared yesterday, but it still deserves a link. Seems New Orleans airport had its own mini-version of Flight 93.
Also on the internet, this editorial from the Ames Tribune about the Farm Bill is quite good. The second to last paragraph is especially pointed.
She chose the Firemen First Principle. This Principle holds that when a telegram data bureaucracy is faced with budget cuts, it threatens to cut the most essential services, like Firemen, first. This will anger the voters, who will in turn pressure their legislators to not make the budget cuts. In this particular case, Judge is furloughing the meat inspectors when they are needed most, before two of the biggest days of the year for the restaurant industry. Her timing is the epitome of cynicism.
Most Iowans like to think their elected officials operate in the best interest of the citizenry. We like living in Iowa where politics is not the main topic of conversation. If we wanted our elected officials to act like politicians, we’d all move to Illinois. But Patty Judge thinks we need a good dose of politics, especially now when many state services will be examined.
Iowans believe that our elected officials will try their best to keep us from spending ourselves into fiscal oblivion. Patty Judge knows that her department is far less significant than Education, Human Services, or others. Nice try, Patty, but the Firemen First Principle is really another way of rubbing our noses in it. Next November, let’s hope the voters remember which option Patty Judge chose. For the $85,429 we pay her, we deserve better.
posted by David Hogberg 5:01 PM archived Trackback (0)
. . .
ON THE BLOGOSPHERE
Some good ones out there in Blogistan today. Dr. Manhattan at Blissful Knowledge has some good advice for President Bush. The Daily Rant takes issue with those in the media now criticizing the Bush Administration for issuing terrorism warnings. This one in Coyote at the Dog Show appeared yesterday, but it still deserves a link. Seems New Orleans airport had its own mini-version of Flight 93.
Also on the internet, this editorial from the Ames Tribune about the Farm Bill is quite good. The second to last paragraph is especially pointed.