Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??

Subject: RE: Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??
From: paddymac
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 04:05 PM

A curious drama is at intermission in the legislative special session dealing with budget reductions. The Senate produced it's proposed revised budget, complete with bargaining chips, while the Governor held a press conference to announce he was expanding the call of the session (i.e.; broadening the range of subjects eligible for consideration). The effect of the Gov's action was that certain subjects were then able to pass on a simple majority vote, as opposed to the 2/3s required for topics "outside the call." Thus, the House Speaker, a clever tactician, decided to accept the Senate proposal without amendments, effectively forcing the Gov to call another special session if he really wants to consider those other topics. The Senate Pres was more than a little peeved, because the "real" work gets done in the conference committee hearings, with much less scrutiny. Well, it's like the old saw says, the two things most folks should probably never watch too closely are making sausage and legislation. It is a great chess game to watch, if you don't have a "personal" issue on the table.

Subject: RE: Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??
From: IvanB
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 03:17 PM

Yeah, Mick, and the interesting thing is that the majority of privatization under the Engler administration was done for the purpose of reducing the number of state employees. But there was a neat little accounting trick: employees hired on 'limited term contracts' (an appointment term of up to 2 years) didn't have to be counted in the official employee count. So, although the official count of state employees spiralled steadily downward, limited term employees suddenly appeared everywhere. I, for instance, retired and was replaced by TWO LTE's. But the 'count' went down by one, and though it's almost four years now, they are both still on the payroll. Hooray for MSJ (mean spirited John, the nickname coined by one of my co-workers for our illustrious governor)!

I've probably said enough to get myself on all sorts of investigative lists, but yeah, whenever there was talk of privatizing another program, state employees always speculated which of John's buddies was in line for return of a 'favor.'

But seriously, harp, is there anything we could do to help the situation? I'd certainly be willing to write a letter if it could do any good.

Subject: RE: Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??
From: harpgirl
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 10:36 AM

Well, Ivan...having been on the front lines in Michigan mental health during the "Great Emptying", I remember clearly the effects on the meek. It was a difficult time for many and now these poor souls are homeless as well.

Privatization of social welfare institutions in Florida such as foster care programs has YMCAs vying for contracts. It is a mess, I agree.

But hey, capitalism is supposed to take care of our most vulnerable citizens just fine now isn't it??? Yea, right...

Subject: RE: Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 10:30 AM

Right on Ivan. The numbers now show that there is not a single example of privatization that has saved the taxpayer money. In all instances, over the the 5 and 7 year experience, quality of service went down and the cost went up. As in most of these conservative scheems, the real intent seems to have been to reward their buddies. Look at the travesty with the state parks, and now they are talking about privatizing these as well.

Mick

Subject: RE: Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??
From: harpgirl
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 10:17 AM

I think JU is playing the all day dance here in town tomorrow with Upsala, Dr. Peterson. I plan on dropping by. How are you these fine fall days?

Subject: RE: Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 07:51 AM

I sure hope they do NOT privatize the Florida Folk Festival-- would some letters from out of state help? ("I am a tourist who would make a special trip to Florida to go to the FFF and would spend a fistful of dollars ((joke here)). I like it very much in its current form and hope you don't alter the format in any way. Very truly yours. . . "
dear Ms. Harp, how are you doing? Anything recent on JU Lee?

Subject: RE: Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??
From: IvanB
Date: 25 Oct 01 - 08:15 PM

Well, harpy, let's see...

In Michigan, the state health department, until 1998, ran the lab which produced anthrax vaccine. It had a long history of producing the vaccine and never had any serious problems. In 1998, the lab was sold to a private enterprise, and hasn't managed to get FDA approval to sell a single dose since.

As a former state employee, I was familiar with a number of privatization schemes, most of which resulted in a service being provided by lower-paid and less well-trained employees without much oversight on the part of the state. I won't say privatization never works, but I've seen enough horror stories to be generally against it.

And, since you mention human services, it's my belief that Michigan, in practically eliminating its mental health institutions, essentially put a large number of unmedicated mentally ill persons out on the street and into General Assistance. Then, in the early 90's, under the guise of 'welfare reform,' we pulled THAT carpet out from under them as well. But we have a balanced budget and a billion dollar 'Rainy Day Fund!' BFD.

Subject: Privatizing the Florida Folk Festival??
From: harpgirl
Date: 25 Oct 01 - 05:10 PM

The Florida legislature is in special session trying to make massive cuts to the Florida budget, ostensibly because of our economic woes.

At any rate, some of the possible outcomes are eliminating festival organizing jobs, privatizing the festival or canceling it altogether. The Spirit of the Suwannee People do a great job of boosting the economy in this area of Florida but I'm not sure I want to see privatization.

So far, in human services, I don't see it working very well. Any comments? harpgirl