The Scoop: State shouldn’t be run like a business
Legislators made it through a train wreck of a budget process and finally rescued the long-haired damsel we know as the state of Tennessee this week.
The budget battle was nothing less than disastrous. One representative committed suicide and two more were admitted to the hospital.
After the state’s “non-essential” employees were told not to report to work for three days, lawmakers stumbled upon a solution. It seems our old friend Mr. Sales Tax has paraded into our lives once again — only this time he’s put on more weight. Mr. Sales Tax will cost Tennesseans close to 10 cents on the dollar every time we buy a gallon of milk.
I’d like nothing more than to see Mr. Sales Tax on a Slim Fast diet. If he gets much bigger, we’ll be forced to add handicapped-assessable ramps to our homes so Mr. Sales Tax can wheel himself in the door.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this whole kick-to-the-stomach state budget process, it’s that we should run Tennessee like a business. I’ve heard that phrase so many times, it’s almost beginning to make sense.
We should run Tennessee like a business.
I guess that means our governor is due for a name change. He will now be Tennessee’s CEO. That comes with a salary of around $14.7 million and includes stock options.
In about five years, when this CEO is faced with a docket full of charges alleging dozens of improprieties, he and the state will agree on a “mutual” separation. As part of the severance package, the CEO will receive another $8 million over 15 years and use of a private jet furnished by the state.
Yes, we should run Tennessee like a business.
When I hear that, I suppose people aren’t referring to big businesses like Enron and Xerox, which is soon to be coming out of its closet of financial misdoings. When I hear that, I suppose people don’t intend for the state of Tennessee to file for bankruptcy and take everyone’s 401(k).
Imagine Tennessee filing for bankruptcy protection. To state employees, good luck collecting your paycheck. Tennessee will reach a settlement with you after it finishes auctioning off state parks and office furniture.
Tennessee should be run like a business.
When I hear that I wonder if it’s referring to small businesses. As business reporter for the Standard, I’ve covered my share of business grand openings. Anyone opening a business, who takes the time to give me a phone call, can get free business coverage in our newspaper. I know, what a country.
While this is one of my favorite parts of the job, I’ve also gotten a chance to see my share of businesses come and go. The statistics I’ve always heard is 75 percent of all new businesses fold within the first year.
I don’t know the accuracy of that statement, but my guess is it’s not far off. Over the last few years, I’ve covered businesses which have never opened, ones that have stayed open less than two days and another that was forced to close because of plumbing problems. I’ve even covered a business owner who skipped town because he owed two months back rent.
I presume this is not what people are talking about when they say Tennessee should be run like a business.
When people say the state should be run like a business, they point to the Wal-Marts of the world and look over the Kmarts. They eye the “Coming Soon” signs and ignore the going-out-of-business sales. I sure hope they’re not referring to the airline industry.
So after hearing so many accounts about how Tennessee should be run like a business, I’ve determined that’s exactly what the state should not do.
But if worst comes to worst, maybe I can catch a good deal on Rock Island State Park.
(James Clark is editor of the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].)