YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK – AT 9:54 A.M. ET:  Reader Joseph J. Gallick alerts us to the latest sparkling example of good, efficient government.  Naturally, it originates right here in New York, a state, like its golden counterpart on the West Coast, which is on the verge of bankruptcy:

Another shocking report by SeeThroughNY reveals that 8,074 Metropolitan Transportation Authority employees earned $100,000 last year. Fifty MTA employees earned more than $200,000 last year. And salaries are rising.

This is at a time when the New York City and State are struggling with a gaping budget deficit and billions in debt. Meanwhile, the MTA is cutting costs by reducing service and may remove cars to save electricity.

Past reports by the non-profit group include a list of 899 state employees who earn more than Governor David Patterson.

COMMENT:  There are now reports of outrages like this all over the country, like the report of a fire commissioner in California who will retire with a pension of a quarter of a million dollars a year. 

Next time I see a conductor, I'll ask for a loan.

One of the things that makes this profligacy possible is the power of public-employee unions, which are plugged into the Democratic Party. 

We want public employees to do their jobs and be adequately paid, but examples like this are going to create a voter backlash and demands for budget cuts.  Maybe we needed a shock like this to realize where some of our money is going. 

June 5, 2010