Plush Seats for State Workers

[GutshotApe]

Anyone see the article in today's Oregonian abut the 110 new office chairs purchased by the Dept.of Human Services in Salem?

They paid $123 to $148 each for the 110 seats which were to be used in the Dept.'s training facility. Total cost $15,530.

Criticized for spending the money while laying off employees and cutting services to the public, agency Director Jean Thorne said she is satisfied the chairs were needed. But, she said, it won't happen again.

---------------------------------------------

Last week I bought a new office/computer chair that sounds a lot like the new state chairs. Mine is plush fabric back with leather seat. Swivels, rocks, rotates, and has a gas levelling device. I got mine for $70. Could have had the same thing all fabric for $40. These are good, heavy-duty, almost luxurious chairs. Why does it cost the state twice as much to buy their chairs in quantity?

I wanna change my Yes vote on 28 to No.

GSA,
They deserve these chairs and you forgot to factor in the kick backs when you were considering the price.

[STGRule]

The problem is we have this thing called DAS. We have these wonderful things called price agreements. In the 17 years I have worked for the state, I have never found anything on price agreements that I couldn't find cheaper someplace else. Sometimes I get lost checking (there are thousands of things on price agreements).
My newest gripe is computers. I can buy a clone from a local business with the best of everything for cheaper than at a "major" manufacturer and have something that is current and upgradeable for minimum cost. Can't do it.

STG,
True.
How many hands does a "Stock Request" (or whatever Oregon calls them) have to go through before you get your supplies? Mine had to pass through 6 people and generaly took 30 days.

[STGRule]

Keta: We don't have it that bad. We have vendors that we buy general supplies from and can just order what we need. If things cost more that $5000 we need bids and such. I generaly get bids on things that cost even under $50. I have a very tight budget and have to make it stretch as far as possible. Computer and software purchases all have to be approved by Information Systems but I can understand that. It goes to one person and gets signed off very quickly. When I have an emergency I have been able to get verbal Okays over the phone and get the signature after the fact.

I could spend $499.00 on a "Field Purchase Order" with out going through the process. I had to do multiple FPO's ocasionaly ($499.00 for concrete $499.00 for rebar) but If I got caught they would have hung me. Usualy had one of my crue do one and I would do the other.

Any sugestions on what we can do about the cuts I mentioned in the email?

[CATCH AND EAT]

Heard about this yesterday on the way back from the coast on the Lars Larson Show. Point of this matter is that it was shoved in just under the bell for approval. Albeit that some of the chairs needed to be replaced and the chairs were actually a decent price, now was not the time to spend the money.

All goes back to responsible government spending. There's an oxy-morron for ya.

[Fish_N_Russ]

Hey lets not lump all 'state workers' into one, negative category. I am a state worker and have been for 7 years now. I am pretty much a peon and make little money but I am still a public employee and get labelled negatively for it in some circles. The fact of the matter is, there are VERY hard working people that work for the state, county, etc etc........then again there are some admins and managers that screw things up also :smile:

I still dont understand why people on the oregon health plan have better insurance that me, a tax paying, working citizen! Seems like things like that should be fixed long before other probs but I digress........

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally posted by Fish_N_Russ:

I still dont understand why people on the oregon health plan have better insurance that me, a tax paying, working citizen!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Because they have a Mercedes and you do not. The Oregon Health Plan is a joke that is not funny. It is not regulated properly and lacks the integrity that it was innitially intended to promote. There is always someone looking for a free ride out there. If they can get it for free who cares about the consequences. Now I digress.

[ 02-18-2003, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

[Fish_N_Russ]

exactly

[GutshotApe]

Originally posted by CATCH AND EAT:
All goes back to responsible government spending. There's an oxy-morron for ya.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Don't worry, C&E, state Human Services Dept. Director Thorne told us "It won't happen again".

Now, that's funny!

[STGRule]

Keta: I can't find the article you are refering to. I found one today about the 300 million shortfall if that is what you mean. I think for the most part we will be okay as Mr Lindsay has made a point of us having a balanced budget by the end of the biennium, and I believe he has done it. So, as far as I know we will be okay.
PS Now you guys have almost made me feel guilty about getting a new chair a few weeks ago. I paid $99.99 for it and it replaced a chair I got new about 15 years ago. If I had known we would have to not buy anything in the near future I may have just put up with the fact that the hydraulic lift was broken and I was sitting just a few inches off the ground. I bet I could have brought some phone books from home to sit on.

STG,
Cuts in maintenance for fish screens :depressed: . It's a good program even though they didn't hire the best person for the job :smile:

[STGRule]

Well, the best person for the job will just have to get a better one! [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

:smile: Thank you STG :smile:

[TheRogue]

Bad chairs.....bad posture....bad back....bad lawsuit.

Sorry, sometimes you have to spend money to save money in the long run. If they had to be replaced, they had to be replaced.

Sorry, my .02

TR

[monoman]

You must provide basic tools for the job. If we stop providing these tools we will lose those employees we want to keep.

[lost_sailor]

Talk to your legislators about the laws restricting purchasing!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

SHOW ME the person on the OHP who has a Mercedes.