Barring an unforeseen undoing in the Legislature, Gov. Bill Haslam is on the verge of negotiating a seismic shift in state employment policy. This week, the Tennessee State Employees Association agreed to back Haslam's Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management Act of 2012, a bill co-sponsored in the House by Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville.
The TEAM Act, as noted here in January, will push performance by state employees and reduce the ridiculousness of deciding who to keep when times are tough by who has been on the job the longest. In a compromise reached recently, performance evaluation will be the first thing considered when it comes time to choose which state employees should stay and which should go.
Seniority will still factor into the employment equation — a bit too much for my meritocratic mindset — but it will stand behind performance, and that, dear reader, is where the big change comes. Pay for performance is the American way, regardless of the Francophile mentality that seems to have captivated our nation's capitol.
Other aspects of the law are also encouraging, such as the death of the Civil Service Commission and its replacement with a Board of Appeals appointed by the governor, a reduction in the timeline for notices of layoffs and a modernization of the state performance evaluation system. All of these improvements should cause cultural change, change that will make sure we, the taxpayers, are getting our money's worth from our employees, the workers in state government.
This upsetting of an age-old apple cart is the product of a sometimes contentious process. Haslam invited TSEA to the birth of this bill. "Beginning last fall, we held listening sessions with state employees across the state to learn about issues impacting you, our employees, and what we heard about most were challenges created by our employment system," Haslam wrote in an April 2 letter to state employees.
"We also have been listening to and working very closely with state employee groups, especially the Tennessee State Employees Association in recent months on the TEAM Act," Haslam wrote. "Early on in the process, we all agreed that our current system is broken, so it has mostly been a matter of working out some details."
Even though "all agreed" the system was "broken," TSEA walked out on negotiations in February. Haslam, to his credit, remained at the bargaining line, and TSEA, to its credit, returned to negotiate. Haslam gave on some details, but he got much more — the core values and the key components of the bill remain, keeping Tennessee from moving even an inch closer to becoming, say, California, which is held hostage by obligations to state retirees, state employee benefits and public employee union political thuggery.
The world has changed. From Greece to Spain to Italy, from Illinois to New Jersey to New York, mathematical realities prove change is needed in public-sector employment and benefits. We, the taxpayers, deserve excellence and accountability from our employees. Haslam's TEAM Act makes that possible.
The different chickens that lay…
The retrial of Cameron Cook 
Hike of the Month: Twin Arches Loop
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 34
nemesis443 writes:
TSEA didn't walk out on negotiations. The administration stopped negotiating and said they wouldn't agree to any changes at the time.
TrueTennessee writes:
Doing away with Civil Service. I'm sure the GOP will love that when Democrats rule again.
Don't think it won't happen, I recommend a chat with Newt. Or even Santorum.
This just opens the door where professionalism will take a back seat to politics.
It's interesting that the General Assembly keeps giving a blank check to the governor, who in Tennessee, historically and practically, is a weak and nominal position.
Will the General Assembly approve of giving cash incentives, excuse me will the General Assembly FORCE the taxpayers to give private businesses cash incentives while the government keeps the owners names hidden from the taxpayer?
Is that the American Way?
Civil service rules: gone.
Cash gifts to businesses with "secret" owners.
Sounds more and more like a banana republic.
TrueTennessee writes:
And if it's such a good idea, let's apply it to the University of Tennessee.
Is that not state government?
cejensen writes:
The TEAM Act, as noted here in January, will push performance by state employees and reduce the ridiculousness of deciding who to keep when times are tough by who has been on the job the longest. In a compromise reached recently, performance evaluation will be the first thing considered when it comes time to choose which state employees should stay and which should go.
------------------------------------------
Yes, no longer will employment be based on an archaic system, like seniority. By getting rid of Civil Service, instead of our current system, we will revert to the old system that worked so well that, well, we installed the civil service system---generally, it's call the PP system.
No, that's not PP as in pee pee, but Political Patronage. See, if the powers that be can throw off the shackles of seniority and protection under a secular civil service system, every body, every job, will be at the whim and mercy of the person at the top of the totem pole, which is an political person; elected or appointed.
In the bad old days, elections had consequences...big consequences. After an election, there would be wholesale purges that would make the Soviet Union or China proud, especially if it was a switch of parties.
Blood flowed in the streets, dreams destroyed, lives rent asunder, all because their party didn't win the election. None of this coddling of state workers. None of this hiding behind competency, experience and performance.
Well, of course, this new, brave world of state government will be "performance-based"....the truth is always preceded by a lie. Unfortunately, the performance, which will determine every employee's future will be assessed by (drum roll, please) a politician.
Naturally, after an election with a change of party, suddenly thousands of state employees that had previously rated good, or exceptional, will now suddenly become inept and sub-standard.
Welcome to the brave new world of yesterday, brought to you by the Reversionary Party of Tennessee who believe that progress and improvement are four-lettered words.
Squeezy writes:
"Blood flowed in the streets, dreams destroyed, lives rent asunder, all because their party didn't win the election"
-------------------------------
Oh my goodness. How apocalyptic.
"Streets of blood" and "lives rent asunder", just from this bill in the TN legislature?
**Somebody** took too many drama llama pills this morning, didn't they?
cejensen writes:
Squeezy writes:
"Blood flowed in the streets, dreams destroyed, lives rent asunder, all because their party didn't win the election"
-------------------------------
Oh my goodness. How apocalyptic.
"Streets of blood" and "lives rent asunder", just from this bill in the TN legislature?
**Somebody** took too many drama llama pills this morning, didn't they?
................................
Took my lessons from the wingers; worst President ever, spent $750B and didn't create a single job, muslim, destroying America so furgners can take us over, hates the Constitution, radical, socialist, nazi.....I learned from the Masters.
dagamble#346080 writes:
Your boss is an appointee of a politician and you are supposed to trust his/her evaluation of your "merit" as actually reflecting how well you do your job?
Mr. Johnson's faith in "merit" betrays an ignorance of how it really works in workplaces where employees have no protections against bosses with their own jobs to protect. Or he knows but does not care.
ronzpiano#213849 writes:
The following are the ones that will stay and the ones that will go...
.01 Those who will ignore the rules of the departmnet and in effect break the laws of the state of tennessee at the will of any elected official...STAY.
02. Those who are young and healthy...STAY.
03. Those who will pay their own insurance and benefits out of their 16,000.00 dollar annual salary...STAY.
04. Those who will work outside their scheduled hours for no compensation...STAY.
05. Those who will conduct state business on personal time for no compesation...STAY.
06. THose that are given additional tasks, but no additional time to accomplish such tasks (see item 5 above) and not complain about it...STAY.
Those that will go....
01. Those that read the laws and rules and attempt to carry them out to the best of their abilities...GO.
02. Those who refuse to give "special considerations to any elected official...GO.
03. Those who have dedicated their entire lives to serving the people of Tennessee for two-thirds the compensation of their municpal or private indusrty counterparts...GO.
04. Those that are approaching retirement...GO
05. Those who have a cronic illness...GO.
06. Those who have a catostrophic illness...GO.
07. Those who attempt to "fix" anything within the department that in the opinion of the direstor "is not broken"...GO
And for those on this forum that have not read or researched the bill and a re just basing their conclusions on the very narrow inforamtion they read in the news...
At the discetion of the commisioner, any employee that is determed not to represent the best interest of the department...i.e I do not like the color of your socks...GO.
We will all soon be suitable for employment at a Pilot gas station.
bbholston#1398245 writes:
Yet another attack on the workers of America and the destruction of the middle class. Republicans are famous for this sort of thing-deny the workers their rights and reduce costs the old fashioned way. Fire the older workers and replace them with younger folk who will work for less. What a shame and a disgrace to all brought to us by Rep. Dunn who never misses a chance to pass laws that only make the life of the average citizen that much less. Less public school support, less women's rights and now less employee rights as the Republican stooges march on towards creating a permanent underclass of American citizens. Do whatever you can to destroy the schools, invade women's private lives and bring back cheap labor- the Republican way of life.
cejensen writes:
But, but, but, that can't be true, ronzpiano. Look the name of the bill is Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management Act of 2012.
That means, instead of a mediocre work force, we will have excellence, all of the employees will be accountable and management will be improved.
That all sounds good to me and I know that Billy Bob wouldn't sign nuttin that has a misleading title. lol
whizkidtn writes:
Except your critic of the TEAM act is total bunk. But a schooling in reading comprehension is irrelevant in your case as your bi-focals are far too yellow-colored to let the truth seep in.
whizkidtn writes:
Greg: Excellent editorial BTW. +1
whizkidtn writes:
And yet those charges of yours are still BS but the really sad thing is that you really, truly believe them!
That's just pitiful.
cejensen writes:
whizkidtn writes:
Greg: Excellent editorial BTW. +1
.....
ROFLMAO, I can hardly wipe a smile off me face....that's for the laugh.
whizkidtn writes:
You mean "...thanks for the laugh."? You're welcome.
bbholston#1398245 writes:
History and current affairs would back my views on the subject 100%. The Republican/Teaparty/Libertarian philosophy if allowed to proceed unchecked will destroy our way of life within a generation.
Rasputin writes:
I see some very articulate and intelligent comments here and I wonder whether most of the writers were born and raised in East Tennessee - or perhaps they've spent a lot of time out of the region. True Tennesseeans tend to vote for representatives who work against their interests and ensure that they remain poor and ignorant. It is their legislature, comprising mostly (not all) pitiless, selfish Republicans, who are elected year after year by voters who are manipulated like children and concerned with foolish things like teaching evolution in the schools, abortion, gun "rights," taxes, homosexuality, big government, and their precious freedom (to get their own health care and retirement funding). I've come to resign myself to the sad fact that the people of Tennessee who vote - a small number there - elect these people who "put it to them" over and over. They'll continue to elect them and get no bottle-return laws, no state income tax, and dandies like this reprise of Ray Blanton's "Good Government" patronage committees. (Yes, Democrats can be just as bad.) I'm sorry, but Tennessee voters ask for it and they get it - and deserve it.
whizkidtn writes:
Again, the fact the you even have the hubris to write "History and current affairs would back my views on the subject 100%" points to how out of touch with reality your views actually are. That really is pitiful indeed.
I'm embarrassed FOR you.
whizkidtn writes:
I, speaking as one who was born here and has spent many years living elsewhere before gladly returning, don't agree with your views at all - but knowing you do, aren't you glad then that you DON'T live here (at least, we hope you don't)? Why even comment on a local newspaper's website in a state in which you don't have a vested interest or even reside? Seems rather silly to me.
whizkidtn writes:
Ok. I have to admit being a bit grumpy this fine, beautiful Good Friday as I have taken a day off work to slave away on my federal income tax return.
I'm part of that ~53% who actually PAYS federal income taxes only to see how our bloated, inefficient, and increasingly socialist federal government (and particularly the current regime) is squandering our financial resources to the tune of ~$16T in debt!! And it's only getting worse.
I need an aspirin (if I can now afford one)!
bbholston#1398245 writes:
Don't be. I don't solicit your support or approval. I speak for many who feel the same way I do based on sound experiences with the corruption of the Republican way of life. A political party, rotten to its very core, has nothing to offer except misery and corruption. It has had many chances to prove that it has some ability to govern in a fair manner, but greed and stupidity always comes to the surface when the GOP is in charge.
ronzpiano#213849 writes:
You can put wide tires on a Volkswagon, but that won't make it a Corvette. It has already started in our department. Everyone is scared they are going to have to make that decision that will lead to their termination. Not a good feeling when you are charged with the responsibility of providing a safe environment for children and the elderly.
elboku writes:
Civil service rules were originally put in place to prevent the 'spoils' of victory being used to replace workers with political appointees. In fact, the creation of such rules goes back to the 1800's. Both parties celebrated their victories with purges but about 150 years ago we progressed past that. Now, we are back to the 1800's. Sigh.
Do conservatives really believe that the 19th century is where we should regress to?
And this paragraph is a beaut:
The world has changed. From Greece to Spain to Italy, from Illinois to New Jersey to New York, mathematical realities prove change is needed in public-sector employment and benefits. We, the taxpayers, deserve excellence and accountability from our employees. Haslam's TEAM Act makes that possible.
The mathematical reality is that the wealthy continue to suck up all the economic growth; thus depriving the rest of us from earning more wealth; trickle down has not worked. The rich control the political system and will not voluntarily relinquish their unjustified seizure of wealth. There is enough money to pay retirees; we just allocate it wrongly. As such, the rest of us are fighting over an increasingly smaller piece of the pie.
Hence, I am quite sure that conservatives would be quite happy if we reverted back to the 19th century wherein no one but the rich had money to retire with and if you were otherwise, you simply worked until you died or lived in abject poverty or simply just died period. Those were the days.
As for performance: does Greg (or anyone) really think that patronage hires will do any better than civil service hires? That is, every time a new regime comes in, those new workers will have to start anew every time. The idea and the practice of the civil servant goes back to Roman times. It has been a long and honored practice. Are their abuses? Like every profession, of course there are. Quite frankly, I would think we would be willing to abide by the few abuses in order to save those who do their job well and have done so for a long time. Experience has its benefits. Employers know this. Now? Patronage here we come.
As an example: are people really in favor of Haslam's buddies being hired and others denied positions or being fired? Think this won't happen? Look at school system payrolls and see how incestuous those payrolls are: wives, husbands, cousins, brothers, sisters, friends of the board members, friends of principals, etc., etc.. Or as one woman answered me when I inquired how she got her substitute teacher position (asked while she was texting the whole time as her class of 1st graders was running around the playground unsupervised): my Mom works here.
Bravo and well done, patronage system.
Rasputin writes:
Taxes and bloated government? You must know that Tennessee gets back around $1.65 from the federal government for every dollar paid in federal taxes. As a "welfare queen" state, Tennessee and other primitive states are really supported by New York, New Jersey, California, and other states, which get back as little as 67 cents for every dollar they pay in fed taxes.
And if there were no federal government, Tennessee's air would be unbreathable and its water undrinkable - coal would probably be the choice for home heating.
You should be grumpy and regret electing half-wit president George Bush (twice) to squander the huge federal surplus left by Clinton's "socialist" government on two of the dumbest wars in history. "Winning the hearts and minds" of Afghans (Haw!) is worth every penny, I suppose. My complaint against Obama is that he hasn't pulled us out of that boondoggle by now.
ruger writes:
Hate to say it but CJ is right this time. For private businesses a performance based policy works fine. If mangement of a private company lets the high performing workers go and keeps their buddies the company won't last long. The government never goes out of business. Those that are politicly or socially connected will always have a job. Whistleblowers or some person the boss just doesn't like will pay the price regardless of performance.
soulbrother writes:
You mean the worker rules will shift for the better for companies.....
Well guess what...nobody WANTS to work for peanuts at some phooey hole...So what now...?
Force them to work...You know...Chinese style...
The "free market" works both ways...I'm not working for you until you make it worth my while...
Those days will be here soon enough...!!!
cejensen writes:
Rasputin writes:
in response to whizkidtn:
"Winning the hearts and minds" of Afghans (Haw!) is worth every penny, I suppose. My complaint against Obama is that he hasn't pulled us out of that boondoggle by now.
..................................
Rick Santorum, conservatives and the Catholic Church seem to have a real phobia about "pulling out early".
whizkidtn writes:
Umm. That "huge" federal surplus supposedly left by your idol (the old one, not the new one) was about $300B in the last two years of his eight year run. The national debt INCREASED under his watch even counting that surplus.
Truth IS stranger than fiction in the liberal la-la land!
Yes, bloated government dude. I'm not suggesting, as you seem to imply, NO federal government. Only one that is vastly better (not bigger) than what we have now. Starting with one that spends within it's means (meaning, and I can't believe I have to explain it to you, that is spends only what it takes in - like many state government have to do since they have a balanced budget in their state constitutions.)
cejensen writes:
whizkidtn writes:
in response to Rasputin:
Yes, bloated government dude. I'm not suggesting, as you seem to imply, NO federal government. Only one that is vastly better (not bigger) than what we have now. Starting with one that spends within it's means (meaning, and I can't believe I have to explain it to you, that is spends only what it takes in - like many state government have to do since they have a balanced budget in their state constitutions.)
...............................
I like it when people talk crazy...real entertaining.
whizkidtn writes:
Wow. Financial accountability in government is now called "crazy talk" by the grand-grizzled wizard himself (CJ the Great)! ROTFLMAO!
No wonder he's a limousine (opps, airplane) liberal.
DoubtingTom writes:
If the KNS op-ed pages were a meritocracy, would anybody presently appearing there still have a gig?
elboku writes:
No reputable economist would agree with you that a government must spend within its means at all times. That is just economically unsound; even moreso when you have a government that can print its own money and control its currency. States have no control over their money- US money, that is; while the Feds can control their money system.
And just so you understand: all US money is controlled and owned by the Federal government. It is not your money. It is used as a medium of exchange but it is not yours. Like many, many countries have done to their own currency, the feds could say every dollar you own is now worth two dollars or 50 cents. The feds could tax everyone at 100 percent and redistribute the money. The point is the feds own the money. You merely use it. In and of itself, it- gasp- has no value. The value is in the government behind it. And do you really seriously think anyone doubts the US will always be here to back its money? Be real. And while you are being real, drop the idea that the Feds are like anyone's household. It just shows you have no understanding of economics and monetary theory. Sheesh.
whizkidtn writes:
And thus under your view of acceptability and economic viability, we have run up $16T of debt. As Yogi Berra says, "that's real money". And those "results" are foolish, destructive and in the long-term naive.
I suppose, with a wave of his all mighty hand, your idol Obama can order that our paper money is worth 100K times more and just pay if all off, right??
And BTW: I never said we can't have short-term borrowing and most balanced budget state constitutions make allowances for such. For your educational edification:
http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/b...
elboku writes:
But you wrote: "Starting with one that spends within it's means (meaning, and I can't believe I have to explain it to you, that is spends only what it takes in - like many state government have to do since they have a balanced budget in their state constitutions.)"
Now you say you didn't mean it. Which is it?
Two, Obama can't wave his hand and do so, but Congress sure can. And then those who we owe money to can decide whether to buy bonds and such once more. Guess what? Almost certainly they will because we are the safest bet around.
Real money? Hardly. The debt will never be paid off. It will rise and fall as long as the US is around. The best way to pay it down will be by growth. The austerity demons of Europe are failing- as expected by the way. A country cannot cut its way to growth; sort of like the idea that tax cuts pay for themselves. Ha, that worked well.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.