Stan Geiger

Is It Just One Big Setup?

The battle between the forces that want Tulsa taxpayer money continues. I find it fascinating. In my memory, I cannot find an instance where an elected official has launched a public assault on public unions---least of all "hero" unions like those of cops, firefighters or teachers. Typically, elected officials kiss the asses of such entities in search of votes and political contributions.

Yet here we are in Tulsa, witnessing an ongoing public spat between a sitting city councilor and the cops and firefighters.

I caught a report this evening that said the firefighters have managed to come up with a way to cut their budget without furloughs.

Isn't that the way it always goes? Some government operation eats tax money like it's going out of style until a bump in the road shows up. Then, magically, that operation seems to be able to get by with less without furloughs, layoffs or pay cuts.

A good example was offered up by a sports report out of Norman. It's a tough year for the state government, and OU has announced there will be no tuition hike this year. Still, in the midst of all this, in the midst of tough economic times, the OU regents voted to hand out fat raises to a butt-load of coaches. And at least some of those coaches have already been made millionaires by the university.

Back on point, Councilor Martinson's argument concerning cops and firefighters seems to center around the point that these two departments are consuming all of the money brought in from the city's permanent 2-penny sales tax. In fact, he argues, in this year they will consume more than that.

Meanwhile, there is the "other union," and the city's non-union employees and various non-government types that live on government money. They all want a bigger piece of the pie.

The recent spat has led to a lot of media coverage. TV stations, talk radio, newspapers and local bloggers have picked up on the issue. The subliminal message being sent is this: The real problem is, the pie just isn't big enough.

One thing all folks that live off gubment money can agree on is the notion that the pie just isn't big enough.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see another shoe fall in the near future. These warring factions could suddenly come together in a quest to push for an increase in Tulsa's permanent sales tax.

We'll see.

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