tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10010207.post7227967133299123846..comments2008-03-26T21:05:52.779-05:00Norman Leahyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06057201717153068211noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10010207.post-29764939353133617922008-03-26T21:05:00.000-05:002008-03-26T21:05:00.000-05:00Look, I can understand why we might not want government to be subject to explaining every single wave of a muckraker's flashlight. But, as your column indicates, lots of little things add up to real money. At a minimum, charge card expenditures should carry some explanation and perhaps some code--a 1, 2, or 3, with a standard explanation: 1=emergency purchase (that tire or duct tape), 2=personal training or ally charge (to cover all the cash flowing to the Chambers for their banquets or those wonderful seminars), or 3=special event or situation (the hip waders at Bass Pro Shop for the VDOT bridge workers). That way, we could tally the category charges and zero in on the guidance for the categories, or the habitual users, or whatever.<BR/><BR/>Just an idea. There is significant abuse in state spending--not necessarily venal, but mostly to give certain employees or appointees a small measure of arbitrary "power."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10010207.post-16161643738839384162008-03-24T16:35:00.000-05:002008-03-24T16:35:00.000-05:00Anon 3:48 -<BR/><BR/>What is the "municipal level"? There is only one state of Virginia but there are lots of municipalities in Virginia. I assume you are referring to the City of Richmond.Grovetonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217578166543967424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10010207.post-87859700391282815242008-03-24T15:48:00.000-05:002008-03-24T15:48:00.000-05:00The state level is certainly questionable. But its even worse at the municipal level. Case in point: the VaPAF/Center Stage downtown Richmond arts center project was forced through with even more city taxpayer money. We may never know how much because the deal was done with FOIA exemptions. Now the Richmond public schools remain illegal without proper ADA funding and City Hall may not have heat next winter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10010207.post-89629329926212203982008-03-24T10:59:00.000-05:002008-03-24T10:59:00.000-05:00"Cockroaches famously scurry for their hideouts when the lights come on. Why do they hide? Light brings trouble -- swatting brooms, smashing feet and toxic clouds of pesticide.".<BR/><BR/>Poetry. Pure poetry.<BR/><BR/>Very well written.Grovetonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217578166543967424noreply@blogger.com