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: