Our Governor released a statement this week floating a few propsals to fill the 2 billion shortfall in tax revenues we’ve got. Among them was a proposal to send state workers on a two week, unpaid vacation.

Personally, I think it’s a great idea. It’ll cost me some money I don’t have (ha ha) but it’s been so long since I’ve had any kind of decent vacation (not involving a hospital), it would give me some much needed time off. Cheryl thinks much less of the idea. I understand her concern, but on balance I’m hip to the idea. I worry about some of my coworkers who could less aford it – but at least we’re still employed.

I’m a little less enthusiastic about the proposed 6% pay cut, especially when we haven’t had a raise in years. If it comes with that proposed vacation, I’ll be out close to 10% for the year. That will hurt. But here too, I find it hard to complain. I’ll gladly keep my job, thank you very much. There’s a lot of hurt going around, and a lot of it is the unemployed kind.

Here’s how I see it:

10 < 100 No, here's what irked me. Cheryl wrote to our state representative about the proposals, and here's his reply (summed up): "I haven't heard these rumors, but I assure you they're just that - rumors." Well, seeing as how the governor put out a written press release two days before, I'd say they're more than just rumors. I realize it's not law without the legislature's consent, but I'm smart enough to know the difference between a written public proposal and a rumor - and I expect at least as much from my represenatives in government. As I see it, this means our rep is either inexcusably uninformed, condescending, stupid, or a terrible liar. I'm open to the possibility several apply. The big R after his name got me off to a bad start with him, but he'd been a pretty good mayor so I was willing to cut him a little slack. Not now though. Cut my pay and I'll understand. It may not earn you a parade, but be frank with me and you'll have my respect. I'd like to hear some of your other ideas too, but I get that there aren't a lot more places to cut after the Jeb! years, and tax increases are obviously off the table. Lie to me or play dumb? That's my line and you've crossed it.