Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

« Photo: The falls runneth over | Today | Woman charged with leaving crash scene, death resulting »

March 10, 2008

Update: Democratic chief: Where's the money for Kass?

Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman William Lynch today called on Governor Carcieri to explain "exactly where he intends to find the money" to pay both Steve Kass, just named as the state's new emergency management communications director, and the spokesman who replaced Kass in that role for the governor.

Kass, a former radio talk-show host whose appointment as EMA communications director was announced Friday, is paid $126,541 -- $50,000 more than the EMA's new executive director and almost three times the amount the current EMA spokesman is paid.

John Robitaille, a Portsmouth Republican, has been named as Kass' replacement as the governor's communications director. His salary has not yet been disclosed.

In a statement this afternoon, Lynch said, “The only emergency management experience the governor’s office could offer to justify this outrageous move was that Kass had once helped organize a pet shelter. That’s embarrassing. I guess the next time it’s raining cats and dogs we’ll know exactly who to call.”

Asked how Kass' salary was being funded, a spokeswoman for Carcieri said later today that she didn't know, describing it as being "in transition."

Spokeswoman Barbara Trainor called Kass’ transfer “temporary,” adding it may last months or a year. “It depends on things happening, what Steve Kass finds needs to be done, what the general find needs to be done,” she said.

Bray has said the governor’s office is paying Kass’ salary. However, on Friday, the governor’s office had said that half of Kass $126, 541 salary was going to come from federal grants. The funding coming into the EMA is already earmarked for homeland security and public safety projects.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with Journal reports

The governor’s office said that the need for improved communications at the EMA has been widely discussed in recent months.

Maj. Robert T. Bray, adjutant general of the Rhode Island National Guard, Bray said that Kass is “on loan” and paid by the governor’s office, but Carcieri’s spokeswoman Friday said half of the money will come from federal grants.

But Steve Preston, a Woonsocket deputy emergency management director, on Friday said: “As a participant in state Homeland Security programs, I want to see where the governor’s getting this out of federal funds."

“The truth is the governor has absolutely no idea how to pay for Mr. Kass and Mr. Robitaille’s salaries,” Lynch stated today. “Unless he intends on creating another new position in state government then one of these two gentlemen need to be let go because Rhode Islanders can ill-afford another high-priced message maven whose only purpose seems to be inflating the governor’s ego."

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:14 PM | Permalink

Comments

OK so we are now paying a radio talk show host $126,000 to act as EMA spokesman? When was the last time Rhode Island heard from a EMA spokesman...not counting the last 3" snowstorm that crippled the state? Maybe we could get the $100,000/year typist to double as the EMA spokesperson.....that would be easier to explain to the taxpayers of R.I.: $50,000 for the typist and $50,000 for the EMA spokesperson. No wonder people are moving out of this state left and right, can you blame them?

Dan | March 10, 2008 6:29 PM link

Lynch said, “The only emergency management experience the governor’s office could offer to justify this outrageous move was that Kass had once helped organize a pet shelter. That’s embarrassing. I guess the next time it’s raining cats and dogs we’ll know exactly who to call.”

William Lynch is right about how this situation is embarassing.

Also, After Katrina and FEMA's failure, many would like to believe that at least state level emergency services will be handled well in case of an emergency. For states to hire inexperienced persons to run the EMA does not reassure people but only unnerves them.

Nicole | March 10, 2008 8:11 PM link

Governor Carcieri is a disaster when it comes to leadership.

He should be cutting every penny he can out of the budget, not creating new jobs.

John Flynn | March 10, 2008 9:36 PM link

First off pay no mind to any comment made by Mr. Lynch about Steve Kass's new possission at EMA.
Kass is money well spent, and is a person who can get the job done right.Kass a man of honesty
and good character is the kind of person the Governor should have at EMA. Full time, part time
on loan who cares.
Kass should stay on the job for a long as needed, and if Mr. Lynch doesn't like it too bad for him.

Tony Beretto | March 10, 2008 11:41 PM link

And once again we blame the state workers for the money problems. Why not utlize Elizabeth Roberts to communicate to the public??

Tonia Fay | March 11, 2008 7:26 AM link

This Gov we have here is such a corrupt bonehead.
He laysoff workers that make 30,000 - 50,000 a year to hire his pals to high paying jobs. When he first started in office he made a ruling about state employees recieving event tickects for free or for a favor in return and then was the first person to break this rule. This guy is doing anything he wants and we are all letting him get away with it. This state sux!

Geesh | March 11, 2008 8:25 AM link

Tony must be a buddy of King Carcieri in line for the next no experience, unnecessary $130,000. a year job. WE CAN'T AFFORD TWO MORE YEARS!

ALL Hail king C | March 11, 2008 5:01 PM link

March 10, 2008

Update: Democratic chief: Where's the money for Kass?

Comments

Post a comment