How do I reach a decision on how to vote?
Dick Menapace, a constituent and friend, sent me an e-mail, asking me to explain my votes on two issues: The Long-Term Care Education Information & Outreach Program and a resolution related to car repairs.
After having answered Mr. Menapace directly, the thought occurred to me that explaining my votes on these matters on this web site might give readers some insight into how I evaluate resolutions, and should help voters better understand my approach to spending tax dollars.
In this post, I will address the "Long Term Care Education and Outreach Program" resolution, which reads:
WHEREAS, the New York State Office for the Aging has allocated additional funds in the amount of $22,718.00 for the Long Term Care Education Information and Outreach Program (LTCEIOP) for the period April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the 2005 County Budget be and hereby is amended as follows:
Revenues:
A6772 6772 4 3772 4330 State Aid-Aging-Title IIIB $22,718.00
As you can see from the above, this resolution pays for office furniture, technical equipment, computer equipment, office supplies, etc. But how much of this money actually goes to educating seniors? My objection is NOT to the idea of educating seniors about Long Term Care Insurance; in fact, I suggested that we work with our coordinators - whom we as a county pay - at the various Senior Centers we operate around the county to use them as conduits to disseminate information about this program. Ask them to contact insurance industry representatives to make presentations at meals or social gatherings - that wouldn't cost taxpayers an additional dime.
What this resolution seems to me to do is to underwrite the cost of advertising an insurance industry product. That is what some people - myself included - would call "Corporate Welfare". I can think of better uses for state tax dollars than to help push a product of private industry, not because the product is not of value to some, but because it is not the proper role of government, in my opinion. I voted against this to protest wasteful spending, not the merits of the underlying program.
I will address the second resolution that Mr. Menapace asked about in a subsequent post.
After having answered Mr. Menapace directly, the thought occurred to me that explaining my votes on these matters on this web site might give readers some insight into how I evaluate resolutions, and should help voters better understand my approach to spending tax dollars.
In this post, I will address the "Long Term Care Education and Outreach Program" resolution, which reads:
WHEREAS, the New York State Office for the Aging has allocated additional funds in the amount of $22,718.00 for the Long Term Care Education Information and Outreach Program (LTCEIOP) for the period April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the 2005 County Budget be and hereby is amended as follows:
Increase:
Expenses:A6772 67725-52005 4330 Office Furniture 1,485.00A6772 67725-52015 4330 Technical Equipment 1,818.00A6772 67725-52060 4330 Computer Equipment 4,978.00A6772 67725-54000 4330 Telephone 190.00A6772 67725-54001 4330 Printing/Copying 200.00A6772 67725-54003 4330 Office Furniture 1,465.00A6772 67725-54004 4330 Computer Software 855.00A6772 67725-54005 4330 Office Supplies 8,388.00A6772 67725-54035 4330 Training/Education 75.00A6772 67725-54047 4330 Mileage Reimbursement 100.00A6772 67725-54060 4330 Legal/Advertising 1,438.00A6772 67725-54075 4330 Office Equipment 1,621.00A6772 67725-54400 4330 Food 105.00Revenues:
A6772 6772 4 3772 4330 State Aid-Aging-Title IIIB $22,718.00
As you can see from the above, this resolution pays for office furniture, technical equipment, computer equipment, office supplies, etc. But how much of this money actually goes to educating seniors? My objection is NOT to the idea of educating seniors about Long Term Care Insurance; in fact, I suggested that we work with our coordinators - whom we as a county pay - at the various Senior Centers we operate around the county to use them as conduits to disseminate information about this program. Ask them to contact insurance industry representatives to make presentations at meals or social gatherings - that wouldn't cost taxpayers an additional dime.
What this resolution seems to me to do is to underwrite the cost of advertising an insurance industry product. That is what some people - myself included - would call "Corporate Welfare". I can think of better uses for state tax dollars than to help push a product of private industry, not because the product is not of value to some, but because it is not the proper role of government, in my opinion. I voted against this to protest wasteful spending, not the merits of the underlying program.
I will address the second resolution that Mr. Menapace asked about in a subsequent post.
posted by Doc Paul @ 10:37 PM
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