Need a raise?

The fastest way to increase your income is…work for the government. One may increase their hourly wage on average from $26.00 to $39.50 by this method. Explaining this gap simply requires noting that private employers need to be fiscally honest and keep certifiable books and MUST produce something, anything but mainly a profit. The difference of course is benefits, health care, a great pension and retirement medical programs, all unfunded liabilities, of more than $1 trillion to cover state and local government toilers. More here: Employee Benefit | BLS

From this stalwart student of Marxist economics:

“If there’s a benefit gap, it’s because the private sector is going the wrong way by cutting benefits,” says Paul McKenna, research director of the Oregon Public Employees Union.

… its probably because you are not a government employee. It seems the gap between private and public sector jobs is increasing. According to US Today, the gap is, “rising by an average $1.02 an hour last year and $2.45 an hour over the past three years

Widening Gap:Average hourly wages:

Year Public Private

2007 $39.50 $26.09

2004 $34.72 $23.76

State and local government workers are enjoying major gains in compensation, pushing the value of their average wages and benefits far ahead of private workers, a USA TODAY analysis of federal data shows. [snip]

A few governments are discussing how to cut costs:

• Rhode Island. Gov. Donald Carcieri, a Republican, wants to limit benefits and increase hours for state workers.
• Ohio. Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, plans to sign legislation next week that will reduce the value of retiree medical benefits for newly hired school employees, excluding teachers. The law would push back early retirement ages for bus drivers, custodians and other school workers.
• California. The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to sue to repeal pension increases granted earlier to sheriff’s deputies.

Vermont. You are confused. The only growth industry in Vermont is local and state government.

Archived in: California, Economy, Government mandates, Oregon, Progressives, Taxation, Vermont