|
Current Conditions: Few Clouds, 66.0˚F
|
| Print Subscription Login Register |
Published:Monday, July 14, 2008
YOUNGSTOWN — While the population in Mahoning and Trumbull counties decreased over a 10-year period, government and school spending in both counties significantly increased, according to a study of Northeast Ohio.
The Center for Governmental Research of Rochester, N.Y., conducted a $175,000 study on public spending for various foundations and organizations, such as the Regional Chamber, in the 16-county area. As part of that study, the company produced a separate report on Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Between 1992 and 2002, Mahoning County’s population decreased by 3 percent, but its per-person expense to operate its government — including the county, cities, villages, townships and special districts — and school systems increased by 83 percent, according to the study.
In Trumbull County during the same time frame, the population dropped by 5 percent. Its per-person expense for government and school systems increased by 72 percent, the study states.
“Spending per-capita went well beyond the inflation rate, and our government spending is accelerating,” said Tony Paglia, the Regional Chamber vice president of government affairs. “We need to continue to look for ways to curb our [government] spending.”
The inflation rate for urban areas of the Midwest increased by 29 percent between 1992 and 2002, according to the study.
The per-person expense for government and school systems in the 16-county region of Northeast Ohio in the study rose by 68 percent from 1992 to 2002.
The study also shows that 7.5 percent of employees in the 16-county region worked for governments and schools in 2002. That percentage is 7.7 in Mahoning and 7.8 in Trumbull.
The study used U.S. Census Bureau data with the most recent information from 2002, data that is six years old. The study states it used the 2002 data because it was the most recent information available.
Read the full story today in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.
Search Options
One important item overlooked within this article is governmental mandating. While the population shrinks, the amount of governance and legislation tied to local government and the school districts continues to increase rapidly, through no fault of either. A law can be passed in Columbus and/or Washington, D.C. and the burden of implementation is on the local end, regardless of cost.
While the study merits examination, analysis, and interpretation, it's only a piece of the puzzle.
The fact is the fastest growing part of local governments are the wages and benefits of the public employees, hardly a mandated item.
"The Center for Governmental Research of Rochester, N.Y., conducted a $175,000 study on public spending for various foundations and organizations, such as the Regional Chamber"
READ this people - read it over and over. Some agency with an AGENDA spends $175,000 on a study to SUPPORT THEIR AGENDA (and the study just happens to talk about WASTEFUL SPENDING). HOW IRONIC! and only in the Mahoning Valley...
This from the people who want to destroy and dismantle what little is RIGHT with the area and instead throw it in the cesspools of what iw WRONG with the area.
How ironic! How sad!
Simple math. You can only afford to employee those that the budget allows. The income is pretty much fixed so decide that by the number employed and you know how many you can employ. Prioritize for the essential services and lay off the rest. They can go work in the private sector for $10 an hour at the call centers and few benefits like the rest of us do. Why is budgeting so hard for Youngstown government?
From the perspective of government, the simple math is to simply pass another levy. Grab more dollars from those already being squeezed to fund the ever increasing wages and benefits of the public trough.
To Cheese: The study was of more than just the valley. But, the valley is just a microcosm of the systematic problem that exists in government at all levels. The idea that the taxpayers are bottomless pits to be constantly raped and pillaged for more money to fund outrageous wages and benefits for the public workers.
"The fact is the fastest growing part of local governments are the wages and benefits of the public employees, hardly a mandated item."
This totally ignores the last part of my original comment. When a new law comes down the pipeline, (No Child Left Behind as an example,) there are specific, unfunded mandates for personnel. School districts trying to comply have to have the personnel to fit the law. The same could be said for police departments trying to comply with anti-terrorism laws.
So while the laws don't specifically say to hire more employees, compliance is mandatory and frequently requires an increase in either workforce or an increase in the job descriptions of the current employees. In most jobs, increased responsibility equates with increased pay (or benefits) depending how you look at it.
(Requires free registration.)