From Senator Joel Anderson…
In case you missed it, I wrote an op-ed that appeared in this morning’s San Diego Union Tribune which called for a drastic change in the Caltrans culture of corruption and urged my colleagues to vote against the nomination of Acting Director Malcolm Dougherty. Some of the highlights of the op-ed include:
Under Dougherty’s leadership over the last three years, Caltrans has:
- Allowed the department’s 20,000 employees’ average salary to balloon to over $100,000 while California ranks 48th in state highway performance and cost-effectiveness. The does not include the cost of lifetime health care or retirement benefits.
- Squandered $750,000 on renting personal trucks against the governor’s wishes.
- Seen investigative reporters document how some Caltrans employees drink all day on the job instead of working.
- Rehired an employee for one day who was fired for falsifying bridge inspection reports and overtime pay sheets so he could retire with full benefits.
Mr. Dougherty is the ultimate demonstration of the transition of Caltrans from a once-renowned agency to a national laughingstock. While there are many hardworking men and women at Caltrans, they have been mismanaged and misdirected at every turn.
Mr. Dougherty’s dismal performance needs a top-to-bottom evaluation to change the culture from one of denial and cover-up to one that honors its oath to be good stewards of the tax dollars entrusted to them by Californians. Mr. Dougherty’s performance demonstrates he is not capable of handling that responsibility.
If you agree that California’s roads have been bungled and mismanaged and that a drastic change in leadership is needed at the top of Caltrans. Please send me an email at Senator.Anderson@sen.ca.gov. I will ensure that the Senate receives your message.
To read the full op-ed click here.
Below are articles that back up my op-ed:
Comments 10
But, balancing out the equation, California has GREAT weather!
Screw the equation Mr. Rider. California is simply the best chunk of real estate in the world. As far as our state and national highway system goes. The best. My residence on mount Soledad is a different story. State highway systems are lacking but that is more of a county issue.
However, California has great weather. A winter home in the desert. Mountain land for the summer. And of course an ocean view on Mount Soledad, simply is for the blessed.
Reading a post from a state senator about waste simply gags me.
Author
Listen up, kiddies. Erl says because CA is so great, we should just ignore the waste. Good plan.
Michael Erl, I love the LAND that is California. Just don’t care for our CA governments. Ya got a problem with ‘dat?
They say you’re the Man Thor.
Rider……dat es gut ……
Along with the weather, lets talk about how Carlos Quintin made it easier for the Giants to win the NL West. Sadly this is what your average voter cares more about.
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I am not Thor, I am his assistant. One of them anyway. Concubines, we are.
Assistant, it would help readers if you’d adopt my sexist appellation for you — Thorette.
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A cross between that and Dr. Seuss… Thorette 1 and Thorette 2, Thorette 3 and Thorette 4.