Trust the market

An opportunity currently exists to rein in exorbitant payrolls being paid by the Spokane and other government agencies. I was astounded to read they have 190 employees making in excess of $100,000 per year excluding benefits. With the recent uptick in the unemployment rate, the job pool of qualified people continues to grow more attractive. Guaranteed there are ample applicants as or better qualified to replace these overpaid workers willing to give their left arm to work for a fraction of these bloated wages. Here’s the plan: bring in each of the 190, offer to reduce their pay to a more realistic amount (say $75,000), reduce benefits, remove hidden perks, i.e. free cars, gas cards and cellphones, etc. If they are not interested in the reduction, advertise the position in the open market.

Our economies are based on supply and demand. These are the same reasons that lofted these workers into their inflated wage and benefit packages. We now have an overabundant supply of underemployed workers and huge demand for well-paying jobs. Start small; how about groups of 10? The only thing you have to lose is the apathetic belief you are poor stewards/managers of the taxpayers’ money.

Peter Ward

Spirit Lake