City of Houston $130,000 Payroll Scandal

Amid all of the talk about creating a "security tax" to bring the number of policemen on the street to a number equal to a few years ago, much less to bring us up 1 full officer per 1000 residents to meet the national average...

Comes this story! Four employees of the Office of the Mayor ProTem managed to swindle the taxpayers out of $130,000 of illegal bonuses.

I won't lie. This makes my blood boil every time I think about it.

1. It's the Mayor ProTem's office! This is a largely ceremonial appointment, and I hardly find the need for four employees... much less bonuses!
2. To learn that the pro tem office manager received $47,500 in extra pay in 2005, putting her total pay among the city's highest at $126,000 is an OUTRAGE.
3. To learn that the pro tem office manager makes $78,500 annually is an EVEN BIGGER OUTRAGE!
4. To learn that the pro tem office has a budget for fiscal 2006 of $320,000 is RIDICULOUS.
5. To learn that unspent payroll monies are routinely doled out in bonuses for managerial and clerical employees is an INSULT, when our firefighters and police officers live as paupers.

I can't comment any further. I might burst an artery.