The more we think about that $383,000 surreptitiously shelled out to those 37 Schneider administration officials for unused leave, the more galled we get.
There are several reasons.
The way it was done was appalling. To circumvent routine procedures and process rush-rush fat checks for a favored few as they were exiting government -– assuming all have actually left -– is really bad form.
But the fact that it was done at all is what's really disgraceful. Approving those lump-sum leave payments may have been legal –- that remains to be seen -– but it was morally indefensible.
How could Gov. Roy L. Schneider -– who got the biggest payment, $24,460 –- justify cutting this check for himself when the hospital can't buy lifesaving supplies because vendors who haven't been paid are refusing to extend any more credit? How could he and the other 36 take lump-sum payments when the police can't afford gas for their vehicles to go out on routine patrols?
Of course, those are rhetorical questions, considering that Schneider only weeks earlier processed a 1997 tax-refund check for himself for $19,000 when thousands of people are still waiting for tax refunds dating back two to three years.
The man simply has no shame.