Education payouts not in line with Montana wages
Rep. Dee Brown | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 16 years AGO
Montana State Univer-sity-Bozeman just hired a new president, Waded Cruzado, from New Mexico. The taxpayers will pay $280,000 a year for her expertise, plus housing, car expenses, disability and country club benefits — that's $135-plus an hour.
The president of the University of Montana-Missoula, George Dennison, makes $205,050 per year ($99 an hour) with the same amenities.
The Commissioner of Higher Education, Sheila Stearns, earns $211,201 a year ($102 an hour) with similar benefits.
All this is happening while the commissioner bemoans higher tuition for college students and the need behind the future increases. Shouldn't these leaders set the example and take cuts in pay while Montanans are losing their jobs like those in my area?
Should we start hiring people who are more in line with Montana wages or allow the educational bureaucracy to continue this "leap frog" mentality that is now present in higher education?
As Christmas approaches, higher educational officials are saying "ho, ho, ho" while college students, local school districts scrambling with tight budgets and taxpayers are saying "no, no, no."
Rep. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, represents House District 3.
ARTICLES BY REP. DEE BROWN
Education payouts not in line with Montana wages
Montana State Univer-sity-Bozeman just hired a new president, Waded Cruzado, from New Mexico. The taxpayers will pay $280,000 a year for her expertise, plus housing, car expenses, disability and country club benefits — that's $135-plus an hour.
House passes health care legislation
Several consumer friendly bills have passed the House and are on their way to the Senate for passage this session. Everyone concerned about health care costs will agree with HB263 by Rep. Cary Smith (R-Billings). It is an act requiring certain health care providers and facilities to disclose estimated costs of treatment.
Montana Recreation Responsibility Act signed into law
The 61st Legislature is now in the books and the taxpayers will have new laws to learn as the enforcement begins. Many positive things have been done this session with some a bit harder to swallow.