Wayward regulators
The appointment of a "Chief Information Officer" for the state of California sounds like a non-event. Nice, but who cares. Yet this appointment was a big, ugly event that reveals the seamy side of Sacramento politics.
The appointee, this case, is Republican Rachelle Chong whose availability stemmed from her unceremonious and unprecedented rejection by the state Senate from her appointment at the Public Utilities Commission. She was dumped by the Senate on the grounds that she'd not adequately protected the public from questionable telecommunications company practices.
Within a week after her embarrassing termination -- no other Commission nominee had been rejected by the Senate -- Ms. Chong was rewarded for her malfeasance by Governor Schwarzenegger. He appointed her to a state job paying $140,000 --- which was a 10% increase over what she was paid at the Public Utilities Commission. So much for the Governor's "cutback" creed.
One notable irony -- while a regulator, Ms. Chong was a fervent proponent that "Government" can't do anything right and that market competition is the key to protecting the public. So when her malevolent bumbling led to her firing by the Senate, who shows up to save her?
Communications: Communications Technology -
Tags: appointment - California - Chong - Commission - Commissioner - CPUC - Governor - Lightbridge - Public - Rachelle Chong - telecom - Utilities -
Post to Twitter
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network - (619) 696-6966
Terms and Conditions
UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be: a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
That said, get to digging on the site, inform yourself, speak your mind, and earn Watchdog Bones! This is YOUR site, and we mean it. So comment on any of the content, discuss the latest issues in the forums, file a complaint on a company with the Fraud Squad, and generally cut loose.
See our Terms of Use, Privacy, and Copyright complaint policies as well as our Content Reuse Policy, Some Rights Reserved. Remember, if you have any questions about copyright law or need legal information regarding intellectual property, the internet, or new technologies, visit our affiliate New Media Rights at www.newmediarights.org. If you are in the San Diego region, you can also can apply to use New Media Rights' multimedia studio and equipment for free.
Post new comment