Labor Secretary Hilda Solis rewarded six former staffers from her congressional office with political appointments and huge raises upon taking over at the Department of Labor. The appointees had significant pay increases averaging 50 percent upon changing jobs; one employee’s salary nearly doubled.
Solis, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, began hiring the employees shortly after she was confirmed by the Senate in February 2009. Political appointments are non-competitive government jobs that differ from career positions, which often involve a long hiring process.
The information was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by Americans for Limited Government. The pay raises stand in stark contrast to the Bush administration, which had a rule that employees shouldn’t make more than a 20 percent increase from their previous salary unless there were extraordinary circumstances. Only one Solis staffer made less than a 20 percent raise upon taking the political appointment.
In the case of one Department of Labor appointee formerly employed by Solis’ congressional office, the salary nearly doubled from $44,500 to $86,927. One appointee left Congress making $82,000 and is now earning $145,000 at the department. The six appointees also enjoyed sizable raises over the course of the year they worked at the department. A complete list is below.
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While we in industry struggle with reduced incomes per year this administration continues to pour it on!!! Our pay will be reduced again by many tax increases come the first of January 2011 if not sooner.
This is SO typical…'do as I say, not as I do.' It's okay for them to give out bonuses and raises…but God forbid a corporation do it…WOW!!!!!
why isn't this in the media?
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It's easy for some, like labor secretary Hilda Solis, to give away unearned raises when she's not generating the money.
And yet Veterans who gave their all in defense of this country were told, no raises this year. They increased the number of Vets seen at VA facilities, but never increased the service staff. Another California thief from the school of Peloise.
Maybe they'll get to watch porn videos too. This is the most deceitful, corrupt, thieving administration ever.
While Hilda Solis is busy raises salaries of her favored employees she steadfastly refuses to acknowledge some deadly shortcomings inside her department.
The OWCP which is under her direct command refuses to properly oversee the Defense Base Act Workers Comp program effectively leaving thousands of injured employees with the medical and disability coverage that the Taxpayer has already paid for to AIG, CNA, ACE, Zurich.
Why does she feel these greedy corporations and their attorneys should be allowed to ruin lives under a program which is her responsibility?