Monday letters: Agency leaders don’t deserve raises

Here we go with another know-nothing politician wasting our tax money. In a Feb. 3 article, Senate President Pro Tem Hugh Leatherman said “state government can’t adequately serve the public if it can’t keep talented directors at the top.” So, leaders of 37 public agencies and colleges are getting combined raises of $215,000.

The article also says the newly confirmed Department of Transportation director will be paid $180,000 a year. That’s about $41,000 more than she was making as a deputy director. What did she do to earn a $41,000 raise? Does she perform miracles? Can she walk on water?

These directors aren’t going anywhere because they wouldn’t get the benefits that they get from their government jobs. They won’t do their jobs any more efficiently even with the large raises.

It’s the lower-level workers who do the work. Directors sit in meetings and waste time all day like Mr. Leatherman. No government employee is worth $180,000 a year. If government employees are really unhappy with their salary, let them leave. You can hire new college graduates for a lot less money, and they will be just as good. That will keep employees motivated and cost taxpayers less in the long run.

What the citizens need to do is not re-elect Mr. Leatherman. He is costing taxpayers overhead that will rise exponentially and with no return on investment.