Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - WSI money passes House

WSI money passes House

Apr 04, 2007 - 04:05:43 CDT

By DALE WETZEL
Associated Press Writer

North Dakota's workers compensation agency should have $50,000 set aside for employee gifts, parties and training, House Republicans decided, ignoring Democratic complaints that the kitty was a "slush fund" for dubious expenses.

Rep. Frank Wald, R-Dickinson, asked to include the fund in the Legislature's two-year budget bill for the Workforce Safety and Insurance agency, which provides medical, wage and rehabilitation benefits for workers injured on the job.

In remarks on the House floor Tuesday, Wald said the proposal was in response to questions raised last year by the state auditor about $18,300 in agency spending, including about $4,000 for restaurant gift certificates for employees, $2,500 for bottled water, and $700 for flowers and helium-filled balloons.

Wald said state guidelines were unclear about what sort of spending is allowed. If a major employer came to meet with WSI officials, they should be able to take the person to lunch without fear of being criticized for it later, he said.

"They have the sandwich and maybe a glass of wine," Wald said. "Is that wrong? Is it illegal? Is it unconstitutional?"

Rep. Pam Gulleson, D-Rutland, said that if the fund was a good idea for the state's workers compensation agency, it should be good for any state department.

"We do not allow any other agency - none - to have spending authority to put in place ... a slush fund," Gulleson said. "Our first obligation, of course, is to the taxpayers, and in this case, the employers who pay the fees, to uphold state law and the constitution in how those monies should be spent."

Gulleson led House Democrats on Tuesday in an attempt to strip the $50,000 fund from the workers compensation budget. It failed, 60-32, with House Democrats and Rep. Mark Owens, R-Grand Forks, voting no.

Representatives then voted 64-28 to approve the agency budget itself. It now goes to the North Dakota Senate, where senators will decide whether they agree with House changes.

Gulleson read from a list of agency purchases during the debate. "Trinkets from Party America. Hedgehogs from the Dakota Zoo. Pickle ornaments. Gold pickle pins," Gulleson said. "That goes far outside what our current policy is."

The pickle pins are a symbol used by Bob Farrell, a motivational speaker and former restaurant owner, as a reminder of the need for good customer service.

The Workforce Safety and Insurance audit documented low morale at the agency. It said WSI often ignored state budget rules for contracts and purchases, and hired workers who did not meet its minimum qualifications.

In one incident, the agency used fraud investigators to try to track down an employee who was e-mailing agency salary information to other workers.

Rep. George Keiser, R-Bismarck, the chairman of the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee, said he and members of his committee were responsible for some of the questioned expenses when they met with agency executives to discuss legislative proposals.

"That is the very purpose for which legislators serve, to understand the issues before we vote," Keiser said. "And now it is listed here as a violation of state law, that it is outside of the direct statutory authority of WSI. Give me a break. That's a joke."

Keiser said the auditors' interpretation of what is a permissible expense calls into question whether legislators may attend state agency or interest group receptions or events to which they're given free tickets.

"You'd better stop going to the Bank of North Dakota receptions. You'd better stop going to the University of North Dakota dinners," Keiser said in a House floor speech. "Every state agency that I know, just about, has had some form of reception, and they've put money into it, and you have attended, in violation of the law."

Wald said the questions about WSI's gift and training expenses were "silly."

He compared the expenses to a state Agriculture Department trade mission to Cuba five years ago, in which Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson and Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple took part.

"If they buy Fidel a glass of wine, is that illegal?" Wald asked, referring to Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. "I wouldn't buy the guy a glass of wine, but they're on a trade mission, so I guess it's OK."

The bill is SB2021.

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Comments

worn out and broke wrote on Apr 4, 2007 11:10 PM:

" Well ain't that just great.How can it be that they can have lunch, wine,flowers,gifts and in there next move of the day will to will to deny someone medical treatment,surgery a medical procedure or maybe training so you could go back to work where you really want to be. Do they think it is easy to give up are live plans? We work hard for our employers and all we ask ia a decent salery and not to be treated like a criminal. "

Thanks George & Frank wrote on Apr 4, 2007 9:28 PM:

" Bottle of wine - $25. Dinner out - $75. Trip to Florida $2,500. Dragging your whole caucus through the mud - priceless. "

The patients are running the asylum wrote on Apr 4, 2007 9:16 PM:

" It is apparent the patients are running the asylum. Unbelievable! I guess all the surplus money just made the legislators heads swim. Let's just throw it around and be irresponsible. The disparity between WSI and other state agencies is too great. What is good for WSI should be good for the rest of the agencies. The legislators should change their budget to give a slush fund to all agencies - either that or get rid of the slush fund for WSI. "

Legislators need to be wined and dined to do their jobs? wrote on Apr 4, 2007 9:11 PM:

" Mr. Keiser-why do you think it is appropriate that you need to be wined and dined to do the very job you were elected and paid to do. You are correct. It is your job to learn about the issues you are to vote on, but I think you are already being paid to do that and you should buy your own lunch and beverages. You should not be drinking WINE when you are learning about something new and considering your stewardship to the people of this state. Drink wine on your own dime and on your own time. Your comments are so telling and I am sure will be remembered at your next election run. "

RUSS. wrote on Apr 4, 2007 4:59 PM:

" HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WORK FOR WSI? ARE ALL DEPTARTMENTS OF GOV. GETTING THIS SLUSH FUND MONEY? FLEECING OF NORTH DAKOTA. "

Barney wrote on Apr 4, 2007 4:40 PM:

" To "Anyone catch this" - read today's Fargo Forum (the hard copy) where its stated that three other state agencies and a private CPA firm hired by WSI agreed with some of the state auditors offices finding. Its amazing that Republicans believe the state auditors on all other audits except for their pet agency. We have incompetent Repubicans in ND who are spinless. "

injured workers wife wrote on Apr 4, 2007 4:17 PM:

" WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR LEGISLATION? They will give them all this money to buy flowers, lunches and etc. I feel that if they have all this money then it should go to the injured workers, espicially the ones that WSI is witholding money from or wont pay them. Every other state agency has to pay for their lunches, flowers, coffee and etc., I guess that you have to kiss the legislators butt in order to get anywhere. I guess that I better find out whos butt I have to start kissing and then work my way down the line. The govenor cant take back WSI but they can give them 50,000 dollars to spend on whatever they want. I guess that we wont ever be able to contact anyone at WSI because they all will be out to lunch on us. "

Dumbfounded wrote on Apr 4, 2007 3:57 PM:

" Let's face it. This legislative session is like all of the others. They do nothing for the people. However they do it all for their buddies and business associates. Before this session started, we heard that they were going to do something about health care, do something about the escalating real estate taxes, etc., and etc. They have done none of that but they have managed to try to spend all of the surplus money for no good. If you are a farmer, there is no need to raise pigs, there is a huge litter already going in Bismarck according to all the pork they are adding to the budget for them selves. "

Doug D.Riley wrote on Apr 4, 2007 1:46 PM:

" This is amaseing,just how high up the business latter do you have to be to get wine an a free lunch or dinner from wsi?? Is this for all business or just a few,are the balloons an parties for the workers of wsi because they have made some injured workers throw up their hands and quit or cheated them out of their benefits,bottom line is theres a lot of pockets being lined out there with INJURED NORTH DAKOTAS WORKERS PAIN AND BLOOD!!Please enjoy your meal an party!!!! "

Must be in the wrong agency... wrote on Apr 4, 2007 1:22 PM:

" I must be working in the wrong agency for the State of ND. Where I work we, as employees, make voluntary donations to a fund to send cards, flowers etc...in case of illness, death or retirements. If we have any kind of celebrations they are POTLUCK - we bring the food and drink (non-alcoholic!) ourselves. For door prizes we donate items or the $ to buy them or get donations! Who exactly does WSI have to wine and dine to get their business? My husband and I have a small business and we PAY PREMIUMS whether we like it or not. No one from WSI has ever called and invited us out to dinner and drinks! This is political corruption at it's finest - whoever voted to put Frank Wald and his buddies in office should be ashamed! "

To the sponges wrote on Apr 4, 2007 1:14 PM:

" I have watched several state elected officials in action. They expect someone to buy them their food and drinks all night. I have seen them at these receptions go up to a bar and order a drink and when the amount is told to them for the drink they say they didn’t bring any money. There is one word that comes to mind: “SPONGES”. Try two words “FREE LOADERS”. "

liz wrote on Apr 4, 2007 12:46 PM:

" I work for a city entity. I do not believe that our local government would approve buying such things as pickle pins and hedgehog depictions. If we wanted to have an employee party with city funds, I think we would be laughed at. Talk about an asinine plan. You can't be serious. "

Mike wrote on Apr 4, 2007 12:08 PM:

" To "Anyone catch this" so are you saying that if I am a state agency I can buy booze and pay for parties with state funds? If so where can I sign up, that would be awesome! "

Corrupt Politicians! wrote on Apr 4, 2007 11:54 AM:

" I just can't believe what I am hearing from the 2007 Republican controlled Legislature this session. Nothing is begining to amaze me at how reckless and arrogant our Republican Legislators have been with the taxpayers money. This has got to go down in history as the most dysfunctional and lack of leadership Legislature ever in North Dakota. We need a total revamping of our Legislature the next election. These clowns do not know how to do the job they were originally elected to do. Pathetic, sick and wrong! Who did you vote for? "

Anyone catch this wrote on Apr 4, 2007 10:59 AM:

" The auditors office (who criticized WSI so horribly) testified before the legislature recently. It was forced to admit that the majoirty of the items had no legal basis. Over and over, it said, "well, we just think our way is better." It was a bloodbath for them. "

Barney wrote on Apr 4, 2007 10:32 AM:

" Hey Frank Wald and George Keiser, understand the laws you create - OMB Policy 515 allows for meals/drinks/coffee when promoting an agency or to inform and train the general public, interested parties. Just what special interests are you representing when they buy you lunch or dinner? You both have it wrong but see nothing wrong with you baby. You remind me of a mother from my hometown who always said her kids do no wrong, but they were the ones that always seemed to be in trouble. I suggest you read/understand OMB and NDCC laws before you spout off next time. Besides that is what the $18,000 expense account Mr. Blunt was given - to pay for your lunch. "

Oracle CEO wrote on Apr 4, 2007 10:24 AM:

" It sounds like maybe Frank Wald has had too much to drink at work. Lay off the wine, Frank. It'll be a lot easier to think clearly. Maybe legislators should have to take a Breathalyzer test before they can get into the capitol to work. Sober people don't make these kind of comments. Sober people don't give themselves a 12% raise. Maybe someone should organize an intervention for Frank. "

State Worker wrote on Apr 4, 2007 10:16 AM:

" WSI should have to do what every other state agency does - have their employees contribute to the fund. That's just another "benefit" of being a state worker. We have to pay for our parties, awards, and lunches. They aren't paid for by the company as they are in the private sector. There is a potential for lawsuits if we would take one consultant out for lunch and not another. Are the legislators prepared for that? "

silly??? wrote on Apr 4, 2007 9:49 AM:

" Frank Wald thinks it's silly for someone to question inappropriate expenses at a state agency??? WSI doesn't need to by gifts for people!! If this had been a different agency, one that is not the legislature's baby, you can bet that they wouldn't think it was silly. "

Not Surprised wrote on Apr 4, 2007 9:44 AM:

" Our office has such a fund - and it is 100% funded by VOLUNTARY donations by the employees. Is that so hard for WSI to figure out? "

The Point wrote on Apr 4, 2007 9:05 AM:

" I'm sure getting sick of this legislative session. These people are like pigs at the trough with this surplus. Of course Kaiser is all for this, he represents a great many WSI employees in his Bismarck district. I don't understand how a governing body can give a government division basically the power to rule itself with no other oversight other than its board, which is buerocratically appointed. Business owner-NO this is not the same as you pointed out. This is tax payer money paid by the people for services from this agency. In private business it is the business owner's or corporation's money. There is a HUGE difference. What service do I get from WSI for them taking people out to dinner? Plus, the Dept. of Ag. trade mission was to solicit more business for ND farm products-money spent for marketing, which could pay dividends in the future. What purpose does taking a business owner out to supper serve? This legislation is BAD GOVERNMENT and PORK BARREL SPENDING at its finest. "

Small business owner wrote on Apr 4, 2007 8:56 AM:

" Ahh, now I understand why my WSI rates needed to double this past year! "

Brady wrote on Apr 4, 2007 8:48 AM:

" Barney, I just picked myself up off the floor (that hurt). I agree with you, I can't believe I just said that. That Frank Wald is in office is something I cannot begin to wrap my mind around and the thought him in office really embarrasses me as a North Dakotan. Some of the things he has said this session really put his motives in question (that is just the sad truth). It truly is a shame that people like Wald are representing us, Rep. or Dem. This whole thing is simply amazing that it is going through. Money for training and lunches even I can understand. But employee gifts...parties...I don't get it. Keiser referring to UND dinners, come on sir, that is just one big copout. Right now, whether you are a Rep. or a Dem., none of us should feel good about where we find our state government. They certainly do not seem to have the interests of the citizens of ND on their priority list. "

WD2 wrote on Apr 4, 2007 8:45 AM:

" Is this an late developing April Fool's Joke or have the "conservative" Republicans taken some goofy pills. It is an insult to the taxpayers of this state that our tax dollars should be squandered. $50,000 is a big number. It is evident that the Republicans who run the Legislature have lost their stewardship compass. No longer do they care how OUR taxdollars are spent. I do not understand how helium filled ballons can be more important than more funding for the poor, education, health, roads, etc. This makes no sense. Sadly, these are the same legislators who voted themselves a pay raise. These dudes have no sense of what fiscal conservatism might be. "

Republicans are for corrupt government wrote on Apr 4, 2007 8:36 AM:

" I don't know about you, but I think Republicans who support corrupt government need to be thrown out. WSI has had many problems that Republicans ignore. Their arrogance of power is corrupting them too. "

Oracle CEO wrote on Apr 4, 2007 8:12 AM:

" Did Frank Wald really say that it is OK for State Employee's to drink on the job? "

Keep fighting! wrote on Apr 4, 2007 7:46 AM:

" I agree with this statement, "It said WSI often ignored state budget rules for contracts and purchases." WSI has the ability to ignore everything they want; even legal findings! They need their reins shortened and they have to follow the law jsut like everyone else. Keep fighting for the public on this one! "

Barney wrote on Apr 4, 2007 7:44 AM:

" Looks like WSI has the ND Republicans in their back pocket - if this doesn't show it, then nothing does. WSI can do what they want,their going to the legislators is just a joke. When has the legislature denied them anything, plus no mention of the photo download debacle, I guess they find that thing acceptable. Pathetic Republicans who can't think on their own w/o checking with WSI first. Frank Wald and George Keiser are the worst. "

Business Owner wrote on Apr 4, 2007 7:28 AM:

" In my eyes, to have such a fund to pay for a Christmas party, or funeral flowers, or retirement party items, is no different than any other company out there in the public sector doing the same. The only difference is that when the public pays for those items for a state agency, the public complains; yet when they pay for those items in the public company, by that company figuring it into their budget and you buying their product, it's okay! What's important here is that if you allow this type of spending for WSI, then you must allow it for ALL state agencys. And, along with that, you will need to put some limits. Such as how much is allowed to be spent for a Christmas party or flowers for a funeral. "

stupid legislation wrote on Apr 4, 2007 7:21 AM:

" This is ridiculous! If it's good enough for WSI, then why isn't it good enough for every agency? WSI doesn't have to go out & solicit business for the state - employers are required to pay them. They do NOT need this money!!!!! "

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