Executive Lamont McClure will propose his final budget for Northampton County on Thursday at 11 am. Since Gracedale has run at a deficit over the past two years, it's rather fitting that McClure's presentation of next year's fiscal plan will be at the nursing home. Even more fitting, it will be in the chapel.
In his tenure as Executive, McClure has never proposed a tax hike. He actually cut taxes. But this has come at a cost to the employees, who often feel that the budgets have been balanced on their backs.
Like every incumbent Executive, he is quite unpopular with the workforce. Nobody likes the boss. But he has fought against raising health care rates and restored many of the health benefits that were eliminated by John Brown when he was Executive.
Once McClure is gone, he will slowly become more popular.
I strongly doubt that his proposed 2026 budget will include a tax hike. But will he keep the rainy-day fund at the absolute minimum? Will he use funds from the county's fund balance at the end of the year to balance the budget?
If he does, Council could consider the legality of using OPEB (other post-employment benefit) trust funds to beef up the county's fund balance because the need for those funds is reduced every year as employees have no right to post-employment benefits leave the county. It might be possible to reduce the balance of that trust.
24 comments:
He is in between a rock and a hard place. His "friends" are deserting the sinking ship. His credibility is low in many circles. Best course of action? Blame those darn republicans.
BO, on a lighter note, may I be so bold to suggest that you blog something more lighthearted tomorrow? Perhaps about one of your bike outings or maybe a good ole tRUMP bashing. Those always put folk in a better mood.
No thanks. I think Bernie is finally beginning to realize all the "Trump Bashing" is pointless, even stupid, at this stage. Trump is no longer a candidate subject to election. Besides most of America is content with Trump's achievements.
Local politics is Bernie's best lane. He needs to stay there. Local is where Bernie's expertise shines. Outstanding local news that exceeds anything the Morning Call could ever put together.
Once McClure is out the door, some will try to rewrite history and call him a “popular” figure. Don’t count on it. People don’t forget being disrespected - especially when it hits their wallets.
Let’s be clear: decent benefits don’t excuse insulting raises. Giving the unions 5% while giving career service staff - those who carry the real weight, work overtime without pay, and never threaten to strike - just 2%? That’s a slap in the face. And we won’t forget it.
And let’s talk about Union President Kizzie Johnson. She loves to grandstand about “who’s going to check on the children, the elderly, and the mentally ill?” Funny - those concerns vanished the second the union wanted more money and was ready to walk away from those very vulnerable populations. Spare us the moral high ground. No one is tuning into those PR cries anymore.
McClure has poisoned the workplace. Morale is shot. The environment is unbearable. And what does the Council do? Absolutely nothing - except offer hollow thanks to employees brave enough to speak out, then go right back to ignoring them.
Brown was worse! But like so many ineffective leaders before him, McClure will be remembered - but not fondly. Not with respect. And certainly not as someone fit for higher office.
"Like every incumbent Executive, he is quite unpopular with the workforce. Nobody likes the boss."
He's not disliked. He's viscerally hated for stealing the employees money. Barron needs protection. That's what happens when you rob employees.
I really hope the county executive considers cancelling the county festival if no state budget is passed and furloughs happen. It just doesn’t look professional if you can’t pay your providers and have to furlough staff yet have money to pay for a huge county festival. Yes that money might be coming from a different pot of money, but it still just does not look good for the county or the executive.
Sorry Bernie. He’ll never be liked no matter how long he’s gone. The employees will remember he treated them like garbage.
He will never become popular. He harmed too many employees. It was an insult to put a "state of the art" crosswalk after an employee got physically injured for life and then let her go. The only thing he will be popular for is his back stabbing.
The only thing he will be remembered for is tooting is own horn when he should be apologizing to employees and taxpayers. So arrogant. Good riddance!
McClure will never become popular. He chose Kelly Keegan as his puppeteer and it backfired Bigly. She will always be tied to him. She is the anchor that will sink him. Running for Congress, Keegan’s name will always be brought up, Kirk’s wife and kids and the world are better off wiithout him. Her comment on National Women’s Day”abort all Republicans”. Teachers who voted for Trump should be the first ones fired, celebrating the death of Ed Reagan who made her look like the idiot she is, and the list goes on. More popular, I don’t think so. Plus he lies more than she does.
He will NEVER be liked....... And this union member will remember how he treated union members and career service employees alike when he runs for this next office. He should just drop out now.
But will he keep the rainy-day fund at the absolute minimum? Yes, he drained it last year to cover operating deficits at the nursing home.
Will he use funds from the county's fund balance at the end of the year to balance the budget? Yes, what's left of it.
Council could consider the legality of using OPEB? No, they should follow the number that the actuary recommends. This sounds like desperation.
He will probably direct that Gracedale be spruced up (including residents) so it is a good photo op. Don't believe it, folks.
Gracedale employees and union wanted mcclure. Thats how he got in. The employees chose him and see what they got. Unions are worthless today. Only out for themselves. I've seen it first hand
This really gets to it. It's not just "because he's the boss". It is because the work environment created by leadership became incredibly hostile, and pay stagnated. All while blowing lots of smoke about protecting the middle class, how great the county finances are. Don't forget how Lamont G. McClure (TM) gave everyone a $60/year property tax cut while county employees had double digit percentages of their compensation evaporate due to inflation.
No story on Hyman's major victory in Allentown? When people see photos of what's really going on down there, it's hard to not take Nat's side.
Trump has done more for our country than the last 10 democratic presidents. Truth hurts you feeble brained people.
Employees will remember him as the saint that he was to them. Healthcare alone was a saviour to most of them if not all of them
Bernie you worsted thing for Northampton politics.
Once McClure is gone, he will slowly become more popular.
Very slowly, if ever. Terrible personality certainly not a people person.
McClure needs to resign in disgrace.
Bernie we hear you are going to pack in your blog because you can't see well good luck in the future.
You really need to go work somewhere else.
His latest stunt using county employees as pawns to try to engage Harrisburg to pass a budget showed how narrow minded moves really expose the truth. His truth is he does not care about consumers or employees. If services get cut or end the population of NorCo becomes more unsafe. If he choose not to offer a step raise for non union that will further erode morale and force career choices. The people not only are asking “Where is the money?” But are now asking, “You serious Lamont?” As his political career is history.
Correction to this post: career service employees received an increase to the cost of our insurance. In fact DHS career service employees received the highest increase in our insurance than that off all Northampton County departments both union and nonunion. When it is said that the budget is balanced on our backs it is entirely correct.
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