State government is always growing

by CalWatchdog Staff | October 15, 2012 7:42 am

Oct. 15, 2012

Katy Grimes: It appears that California state government is thriving and growing, while private sectors businesses shrink, close, or move away from California.

Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown announced another list of expensive appointments to state agencies and state commissions; lot’s of deputy directors and middle management positions, but at very high salaries.

From Brown’s website:[1]

* Kathleen Allison, 47, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of facility support at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation[2], where she has served as acting deputy director since 2012. The compensation is $143,904.

[3]

* Monica Diaz, 33, of Cloverdale, has been appointed administrator of the skilled nursing facility at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville[4]. Compensation is $95,808

* Michael Gomez, 59, of Nevada City, has been appointed deputy director of the Division of Investigation and Enforcement Programs at the California Department of Consumer Affairs[5], and the compensation is $106,308.

* Jessica Pearson, 33, of Sacramento, has been appointed legislative and policy advisor at the Delta Stewardship Council[6], where she has served as senior policy advisor since 2011. The compensation is $100,428.

* Riley Ray Robbins, 40, of Los Angeles, has been appointed deputy director for communications at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development[7]. The compensation is $110,004.

* Vicky Waters, 37, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of public affairs at the California Department of Parks and Recreation[8]. The compensation is $104,148.

Wait! There’s more!

* Suzanne Chan, 51, of Sacramento, has been appointed operations and accountability officer in the Administrative Services Division at the California Department of Rehabilitation[9]. Compensation is $93,444.

* Connie DaMant, 56, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant director of the Office of Legislation and Communications at the California Department of Rehabilitation[10]. Compensation is $103,392.

* Elena Gomez, 44, of West Sacramento, has been appointed assistant deputy director of Specialized Services Division[11] at the California Department of Rehabilitation. Compensation is $85,716.

* Sherrie Lowenstein, 44, of Elk Grove, has been appointed deputy director of legislative affairs at the California Department of Managed Health Care[12]. The salary is $120,516. But I don’t see her position listed in the organizational chart.[13]

* Will Shuck, 50, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of external affairs at the California Department of Transportation[14]. Shuck has been chief of staff for Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal since 2008. He held multiple positions in the office of Assemblymember Patty Berg from 2004 to 2008, including press secretary and chief of staff. Compensation is $128,280.

* Amy Wall, 37, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant director, developmental center closure, at the California Department of Developmental Services[15]. Compensation is $86,256.

There are many more. The governor makes appointments several times each month. Expect to see legislative staff members landing jobs elsewhere in state government as their Assembly member or Senator terms out.

It’s business as usual at the state. While the private sector is operating under a code red, state government hasn’t budged one bit. Some of the appointments appear to be newly created positions. I couldn’t find them on the agency organizational charts.

This is just one more reason Brown’s tax increase ballot measure should not pass. Nor should any of the other tax increase measures. Until the state herd is culled, and reckless spending at the state is stopped, taxpayers should just say no to more spending… especially at this level.

Source URL: https://calwatchdog.com/2012/10/15/state-government-is-always-growing/

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