MLA Expenses - the real issue
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 17:49
Much has been said about recent revelations regarding expenses submitted my members of the Nova Scotia Legislature. Some have been excessive expenses, others unusual while some have just been caught up in a bad reporting system.
MLA's should not be purchasing generators for the public, period. That is the responsibility of the local E.M.O. office and that is how you ensure such purchases are in the best interest of the local community and taxpayers. Purchases of high-end computers, cameras, etc. indicates a disregard for the taxpayers money, so controls need to be put in place to ensure we are getting the best bang for the buck.
Obviously what is allowed and not is a very muddy area and those rules need to be overhauled, made public and enforced equally with all MLA's regardless of the party or their position in government.
I do not believe MLA's are getting paid too much for the job we are asking them to do. They give up much of their private lives and are subject to ridicule and abuse far too often (although this latest backlash from the public is well deserved). We need to pay these public servants a decent salary so we can attract the best candidates, but the perks must go. Every cent they spend while in office must be accounted for, must be receipted and made public via the government web site. Problems occur when these decisions are made behind closed doors without any accountability.
Government officials point out that we are talking less than $30,000, which is a small amount given the amount of the province's annual budget. This is true, but I believe it is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to spending of public money. This was an audit of MLA expenses only; can you imagine the waste in Department spending each year in Nova Scotia? That where the real crime is taking place. We continue to allow budgets to grow while there is little accountability as to whether we are getting good value for the dollar. Elected and non-elected government officials have to wake up to this reality and someone who is not thinking about the next election has to step up and decide to DO THE RIGHT THING or else we will continue to drive this province deeper and deeper into debt!
