Steve Sisolak is a Democrat on the board of Clark County Commissioners, and like all the other commissioners, he is a Democrat.
But Sisolak is an old school Democrat. He doesn't rubber stamp items before the Commission. He has called out public service employees and their unions for wasteful spending and outrageous union contracts.. He actually looks after the taxpayer and their money, unlike most commissioners. He has taken on the Clark County Fire Department, Metro, SEIU and other employee unions.
His latest target is the Las Vegas Valley Water District and their obvious conflict of interest in their negotiating with their unions.
From the Las Vegas Sun: Collective bargaining agreements were under consideration by the Water District board, which is the County Commission. During these rough economic times, when Las Vegas’ economy has been laid low, contracts with public employee unions have come under scrutiny.
Pat Mulroy, Water District general manager, said the district has made significant sacrifices and cuts in areas such as longevity pay. So in negotiating with unions, the Water District agreed to a five-year contract that includes salary increases equal to the western consumer price index. Nonunion employees will get the same terms as those negotiated for union employees....
Pat Mulroy, Water District general manager, said the district has made significant sacrifices and cuts in areas such as longevity pay. So in negotiating with unions, the Water District agreed to a five-year contract that includes salary increases equal to the western consumer price index. Nonunion employees will get the same terms as those negotiated for union employees....
acing defeat, he noted that none of the supporting documentation provided an itemized list of how each change in the contract would affect the Water District budget. A new state law requires such an itemized list. The law also requires a public hearing before an elected body votes on a new union deal. That didn’t happen, either....
But Sisolak wasn’t done. He pointed out that Hauser’s total compensation in 2009, including benefits, insurance and retirement, was about $365,000. He also noted the inherent conflict in having salaried staff negotiate with the union, knowing they will receive whatever is given at the bargaining table.
“It’s unconscionable that nonunion employees, who are doing the negotiating, are going to get the same deal,” he said.
“It’s unconscionable that nonunion employees, who are doing the negotiating, are going to get the same deal,” he said.
Sisolak is absolutely correct. Non-union administrative staff will get the same kind of increase of benefits that union employees get and the non-union administrative staff are negotiating the contracts. This makes no sense whatsoever.
We need more politicians like Sisolak. Politicians who will question everything, even if it goes against what the party bosses want.
I would love to see Sisolak run for a higher office. He would be a great U.S. Senator, if he chooses to go against John Ensign. He would make a great governor, but he can't run for another 4 years. House of Representative- depends. Against Joe Heck, no but against Shelly Berkely or Dean Heller, sure, why not. If we get a 4th Congressional seat, I hope he runs.
So, while I don't agree 100% with Sisolak, he still is a great Commissioner and we, in the Las Vegas Valley are lucky to have him. I hope he chooses to run for a higher office.
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