Life, Liberty, Politics and Policy in the Land of Enchantment!
Does Size Matter?
Our arch-nemesis, Carter Bundy of AFSCME dismisses our work on New Mexico's government over-employment problem by saying that large, sparsely populated states naturally have bigger government bureaucracies (as does New Mexico). Our study can be found here and the relevant chart is on page 3. I heard Carter say this on the radio today, so he's not letting it drop.
First and foremost, Bundy, in his article above, uses incorrect data. His top ten list is from 1970, the left hand column (again, on page 3), not the right hand column which is 2008 data. Utah is not in the top 10 in government employment, nor is Idaho, South Dakota, or Montana. In fact, Carter's argument that big (in square miles) and small in population states -- aside from Alaska which is totally unique because of its massive oil revenues -- doesn't hold water. It may have in 1970, but that is a long time ago. For a full list of states by population density, check this page out.
Now among the top ten in state and local employment are West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Sure, these are decent-sized states, but not the largest, nor the least densely populated. Anyway, New Mexico has a problem -- the second-largest government workforce by population size in the entire nation.
First and foremost, Bundy, in his article above, uses incorrect data. His top ten list is from 1970, the left hand column (again, on page 3), not the right hand column which is 2008 data. Utah is not in the top 10 in government employment, nor is Idaho, South Dakota, or Montana. In fact, Carter's argument that big (in square miles) and small in population states -- aside from Alaska which is totally unique because of its massive oil revenues -- doesn't hold water. It may have in 1970, but that is a long time ago. For a full list of states by population density, check this page out.
Now among the top ten in state and local employment are West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Sure, these are decent-sized states, but not the largest, nor the least densely populated. Anyway, New Mexico has a problem -- the second-largest government workforce by population size in the entire nation.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Thomas Molitor on -
Please see my comment to a Bundy post on NM Politics on the very subject. I referred the bloggers on the site to the RGF site and its Scott Moody policy paper. So far, no rebuttal from Mr. Bundy.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Blessing on -
I wouldn't expect one — his main gripe is that State government is too small, which makes him a natural opponent of small-government advocates, especially considering that his power base and paycheck are dependent upon the continued growth of State government, as well as its county and municipal fiefdoms.
What I'd like to know from Mr. Bundy and others of his ilk (remember Paul Griffin of the recent thread about the Posties and globalization?) are their answers to questions like these:
- How big is too big where government is concerned?
- What areas of the private sector should be off-limits to government regulations, taxes, etc.?
- If a government program or regulation doesn't get the job done as they say it will, why should we in the private sector consent to more taxes, spending and regulations?
I'm really not expecting substantive answers from them, just more of the same screaming —
- "YOUR AN ANARCHIST!!!!!!"
- "No way do I want you to put your stinky factory next to MY house!"
- "So you want to have my five-year-old work 16 hours for you seven days a week????"
- "All you want to do is throw old folks and poor people out in the street so you can hog up all the money for yourselfs"
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Permalink Reply by Allen Cogbill on -
I don't know how the equivalent State numbers would look, and it would be interesting if someone here took it upon themselves to check, but USA Today has a recent article on the differences between Federal workers and private-sector workers. Here are some comparsons:
Job Federal Private Difference Pct Public relations manager $132,410 $88,241 $44,169 50.05% Broadcast technician $90,310 $49,265 $41,045 83.31% Clergy $70,460 $39,247 $31,213 79.53% Chemist $98,060 $72,120 $25,940 35.97% Graphic designer $70,820 $46,565 $24,255 52.09% Landscape architects $80,830 $58,380 $22,450 38.45% Recreation worker $43,630 $21,671 $21,959 101.33% Cook $38,400 $23,279 $15,121 64.96% Pest control worker $48,670 $33,675 $14,995 44.53% Laundry, dry-cleaning worker $33,100 $19,945 $13,155 65.96%
Keep in mind that most Federal workers have very cushy retirement and medical benefits in comparison to private sector workers. But, of course, they are so much more productive.
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Permalink Reply by Thomas Molitor on
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I always knew that the pay is better in the White House than at Denny's if you are a cook. Thanks for the link.
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