Gov. Corbett's Pay Raises
The Inky reports top aides to Gov. Corbett are getting five-figure pay raises; it's good to be close to the king.
Gov. Corbett's Pay Raises
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
I'm not sure that pay raises going to Gov. Corbett's top aides offer the best example of the fiscally-responsible governing the governor constantly preaches but, politically, I understand why they likely do him little harm.
If you missed it, the Inky on Sunday reported that four of 15 folks on the Guv's senior staff got $10,000 raises last month.
That, for them, was a good month.
The raises come as other state agencies are crunching numbers to cut spending and as advocates for the disabled and needy are in state court challenging the administration's elimination of $200 a-month in general assistance funding.
Those getting pay bumps are deputy chiefs of staff Chris Abruzzo and Luke Bernstein, policy secretary Jen Branstetter and legislative affairs secretary Christopher Carusone.
All are seeing their annual pay go from $135,000 to $145,000.
So if any of these people owe you money, now would be a good time to collect.
The reason offered for the raises is that these people work hard.
This, of course, suggests that when they accepted their $135,000 jobs they didn't expect to work hard.
Now, on the surface, it might seem counter-intuitive that a governor and administration that preaches fiscal restraint, cuts social services and seeks to reduce or limit government spending across-the-board would be handing out 10K bonuses to its own.
But beneath the surface are two truths: it's good to be close to the king, and handing out raises isn't politically all that risky.
For example, those who take offense to political appointees grabbing fat pay increases even as the state's unemployment rate (8.2 percent) rises above the national rate for the first time in six years aren't likely to be Corbett supporters anyway.
And, in the context of the state of the state or Corbett's approval rating or a reelection bid two years from now, this is the kind of story not likely to have staying power.
I'm not suggesting it's right. And, in terms of the Guv's public image, it helps reinforce the views of those who see him as a pal of big business who cares little about the poor.
In short, it'll further irk those already irked at Corbett; and it'll fade away in the macro-politics of a reelection effort.
That said, it certainly merits a Grrrrr.
"How can we win when fools can be king"..Muse— dogman5- battman21, just to clarify.....many of the raises given out by Nutter are for city employees that have not received a raise in 5 years. Also, much or all of the raise will be offset by cutting their health insurance coverage somewhat so really its no additional cost for the city.— Ducapa2
- To 835union; from your comments, you sound like the quintessential racist. I hope your sheets are clean for your next klan meeting.— mike 1717
- Can't argue with that logic. Yes, none of us can deny that you're wrong. — Jabey
- 835 union - you make 135k a yr - you certainly are not poor— truthrising
- While I am not a NJ resident, I dont take too much issue with this trivial amount of pay raise for 4 individuals. I am only basing my commentary on what a liberal hack columnist is writing, and is in lockstep with whatever Gov Christie's haters are saying. These 4 people were singled out for their hard work and were given a raise. The Obama campaign has given raises to millions of people who don't work. In addition, Obama has put millions of people out of work over the past 4 years with his job crushing policies which have not even come close to working.
Govt dependency has increased to almost half the population. Take your "GRRRR" where it is needed most, and preferably before election day so your democratic pinhead voters get your message.— Sane1 - You want to look at what Romney and his company Bain Capital are STILL doing to people and putting them out of work? Check out Sesata Technologies in Freeport,IL. Bain bought out this company and even though it's made .5 Billion in profits 3rd quarter this year, Bain STILL closed the company down last week, fired all the workers, and is shipping these American jobs and the equipment to China to put more Chinese citizens to work. This happened last week. Romney and his cronies at Bain destroyed this small IL town, and the people in it. As for the Republican dimwits to say Romney is out of Bain, he still owns majority stock in Bain Capital. So it's still his company. His Bain profits and the executive board profits just got higher. So don't talk about Obama, when Romney is upping the unemployment rate and his bank account, while at the same time telling his lies about how he's going to put Americans to work. Romney is a HUGH fraud, and Republican/Conservative dimwits are buying his lies as fast as he can spit them out. Romney/Ryan will destroy the American, but he'll get richer and that works for all you Republicans. — CommonSense in Philly
- How long to until we can vote this guy out...two years?— mecp22
- One-term Tom.— mick1219
- Its not the amount. Its the principle. Corbett asked 1000's of non-unionized managers to go with out raises or colas for the last 5 years. Meanwhile he doesnt see a conflict of principle in padding his politos pockets? I regret ever casting a vote for this guy. Cant wait until 2014.— Bruddah
- $40,000 can put one teacher and a load of textbooks back in a classroom.— mick1219
- Don't even get me started on the college textbook industry; most are about $100 to $250 per book, when they are usually on at least a 5th edition that has added maybe 25 pages in 10 years. I promise you the books don't cost anywhere near that much in South Korea, Germany, or even China. I'm angry just thinking about it. Lower the cost of education!!
— kjuggs77 - I wish guys like John Baer were as vigilant about wasteful spending a little closer to home and did some invetigative reporting about our own City Council and Mayor and the patronage haven they run down there. And while your'e at at include the PPA and the DRPA, historically Democratic patronage dumps were friends of friends all find jobs with pensions and benefits that they hardly show up to but thats OK as long as the people running the City have a "D" next to their name I guess— beermoney
- I can't imagine any Corbett supporters supporting these outrageous raises. Unless of course you're one of the lucky four.— Boru
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
