Since things are slow and I’ve been quiet ….
Paul Goldman I think Paul Goldman running his political consulting business on the “side” while employed by the City of Richmond is/was wrong. I think the Kaine campaign hiring him was a bad decision and that they should admit it was a mistake. That said, I think Goldman’s punishment–suspended for six weeks without pay–was unduly harsh. Apparently, the city wanted to make an example of Goldman, but I think plenty of city employees have been running businesses on the “side” and a less severe punishment would have been enough put everyone on notice. There’s a difference between Goldman and some poor Department of Public Works schlub who hauls brush on the “side.” I would hope the city would offer a disclosure/approval policy and a prohibition from marketing or performing outside work on city time.
Blog the Budget Not many takers on our opportunity to comment on the budget Governor Warner recently submitted. That’s not surprising–it is the holiday season and people are busy. Of course, maybe that’s why so little of the budget has ever been challenged. By the time folks get out of holiday mode, the session has started and the budget goes into committees where the real action takes place more or less out of public view. Meanwhile, high profile abortion, “droopy drawers,” or open container debates are reported breathlessly.
Special Elections I hope bloggers in the districts where special elections are being contested try to get interviews with the candidates. While I don’t think candidates in special elections should be any more forthcoming about their views than the candidates we elected in November, it would be nice to know if they have some familiarity with the just introduced budget and some degree of passion on the major issues of transportation, education, and public safety.
Pit Bulls I love dogs–my mutt “Rags” is one of the joys of my life. However, I will support proposed legislation regulating dangerous dogs such as pit bulls and I believe the woman on trial in Fredericksburg, if it is proven she owned the dogs that killed an elderly woman, should be put in jail for a long time. There are so many choices of dog breeds that to own a breed that is constantly in the news for aggressive behavior is unconscionable.
