Office space (Nashville style)

Just a short time ago one of the many excuses Republicans were told why they were thrown under the bus by Kent Williams was the staff. Mean old Jason Mumpower was going to fire everyone! Was the story told. While I don't have a problem with reducing the size of government like some people do, the truth was more along the lines of Jayson was going to be fair and treat Republican staff and Democrat staff equally. Many of the Democrat staff were expected to quit.

You see, as it has been for years, Democrat staff are automatically paid substantially more then Republican staff. Not only that but all Democrats had one secretary per member. Republicans staff had to do double duty by working for two members for less money. Republicans members and their staff were packed together in the smaller war memorial building while Democrats got the larger offices in the legislative plaza.

Oh how times change, or not.

Many Republicans thought possibly Kent might keep his word to the staff and be fair by sharing responsibility, duties and reward for extra work. But guess what? That fairness only went one direction. Many Republicans still have to split a staff person. While many don't mind splitting a staffer. Some Republicans are now chairman of full committees requiring much more administrative work. Even some of them still only have access to 1/2 a staffer.

Do the Dems have to make cuts? Double up the work for their staffers? Have their staff take pay cuts so their pay is equal to Republican staff? No. All Democrats, including the freshman (who chair nothing) have their own one on one Secretary.

Equalization of pay? While some Republican secretaries will get a small bonus for doing double duty it still will not equal Democrat staff pay even though the Democrat work load has now been taken over by Republicans.

Office space?

Kent was quick to make fun of the senate for making office moves over the 3 week break. Kent said the senate was in disarray for moving offices while he would only be changing a few name plates on doors.

Really?

Kent, being unprepared to lead, has finally realized some Republicans have replaced Democrats (I know, it is a shock). He waited until the last minute to think about office assignments and is just now realizing the Dems don't want to share offices with Republicans and they don't want any Republicans in the legislative plaza.

Where to put all the new Republicans? Just cram more Republicans into fewer, smaller offices and start shifting who goes where. Instead of a smooth timely transition over a few weeks like the senate had, many house Republican offices are now in a mad last minute scramble to move. Temporary walls and cubicle spaces are being thrown up, staff is running around trying to box up everything, move it to different offices, unpack it and be ready before session starts.

Of course the now smaller Democrat caucus has more office space, more staff, less responsibility and better pay then ever before and the now larger Republican caucus has less.

Real fair and smooth.

By the way, Has any one seen my red swingline stapler?