Half-Baked Budgeting By Provincial Tories?
05/02/2012 04:14
Alberta's new premier Redford is certainly looking like a "new broom".
And I think that a great many citizens were startled by her stated intention to impose zero-based budgeting on Alberta's civil service.
What's important about zero-based budgeting? Put in my crude way, zero-based budgeting imposes on each department of an enterprise starting from scratch (first dollar) in requesting its budget for the next period (usually, next fiscal year).
The process that appears to be the darling of civil servants, guarantees departments that they will receive at minimum the amount awarded in the previous budget. So they have only to concern themselves with the amounts they would like to top-up.
We in St. Albert are keenly aware that that is the way things are worked in our municipal government.
Here's how Ms. Redford announced her intention in Fort McMurray.
I quote from the article:
“We need to move to a point where we’re not just building on budget after budget,” said Redford. “I’ve been a minister for four years and what I’ve seen in the budgeting process is that the assumption always is to build on what was there before, so one of the things we’re going to be talking about is a zero-based budgeting approach.”
Redford said one third of departments every year - over a three-year period - will have to go back and build their budget from a zero base.
“That means they’ll have to examine all of the programs in their department and they have to ensure the programs are achieving the outcomes - that we believe as government - Albertans want.”
Now it gets fun.
Four days later, came the Calgary Herald with: "Talk of zero-based budgeting will do nothing for Albertans" which includes this little zinger: "It sounds like a half-baked effort for a government now adrift and unable to balance the books".
See the article here.
Now, the Calgary Herald is back with: "Zero-based budgeting fading to its proper size".
The Calgary Herald's opinion aside (except for admiring the effect it has had) contrast the following with Ms. Redford's statements in Fort McMurray:
"The first bill to hit the legislature next week will be the 'Results-Based Budgeting Act'."
And, 'splaining that: "Stephen Carter, Premier Alison Redford's chief of staff, insists there's no change of PC plans: 'zero-based, results-based, it's the same thing'."
While I reckon that Ms. Redford isn't naturally inclined to dance backwards, I'm happy to believe she's at least practiced at it.
Deane Doucette,
Grandin
SINC SAYS:
The election will tell the tale of Ms. Redford's caucus. As of now, too many are tired of Conservative rip-offs like current power rates, second only to the Arctic in Canada.
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Much Ado About Nothing
05/02/2012 04:14
When it came time for Al and Janet to be the hosts, Janet wanted to outdo all the others. She decided to have mushroom-smothered steak. But mushrooms are expensive. She then told her husband, "No mushrooms. They are too high."
He said, "Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty in the creek bed."
She said, "No, some wild mushrooms are poison."
He said, "Well, I see varmints eating them and they're OK." So Janet decided to give it a try.. She picked a bunch, washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak.
Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ol' Spot (the yard dog) a double handful. Ol' Spot ate every bite. All morning long, Janet watched Ol' Spot and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them.
The meal was a great success, and Janet even hired a helper lady from town to help her serve. After everyone had finished, they relaxed, socialized, and played '42' and dominoes. About then, the helper lady came in and whispered in Janet's ear.
She said, "Mrs. Williams, Ol' Spot is dead."
Janet went into hysterics.
After she finally calmed down, she called the doctor and told him what had happened.
The doctor said, "That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quickly as possible. We'll give everyone enemas and we will pump out everyone's stomach. Everything will be fine. Just keep them calm.."
Soon they could hear the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road.
The EMTs and the doctor had their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach pump.
One by one, they took each person into the bathroom, gave them an enema, and pumped out their stomach.
After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, "I think everything will be fine now," and he left. They were all looking pretty weak sitting around the living room and about this time the helper lady came in and whispered to Janet, "You know, that fellow that run over Ol' Spot never even stopped."
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05/02/2012 04:14
Completely ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check-out line pushing a cart piled high with groceries.
Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the woman to come forward looked into the cart and asked sweetly, 'So which six items would you like to buy?'
Wouldn't it be great if that happened more often?
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