Update (8/14/08 2:08 p.m.): It seems I spoke too cynically. Imagine that. The DMV operation in question is not the same sort of operation as your local DMV office (see the comment below from Mike Marando of the DMV). Legislators and their aides don't get any preferential treatment, but rather help with constituents who have issues with the DMV, as well as issues arising from legislation and other matters. If we weren't on deadline I'd make myself go stand in the corner.
Ever stood in a long line at the Department of Motor Vehicles? Ever wished you could get special treatment there? Wonder how much worse it's gonna get now that DMV offices will be closed on Saturday because of Gov. Schwarzenegger's layoffs of state workers?
All you need to do is get elected to the state Legislature. According to the Sacramento Bee, there's a DMV office in Room 121, somewhere in the Legislative Office Building across the street from the Capitol, that serves a clientele limited to legislators and their staffers.
Don't try to go there if you're not part of that elite group. The Bee reports that the office is in a section of the building not open to the public, and security won't give out directions.
I guess there's nothing wrong with that sort of perk. After all, our elected leaders work very hard on our behalf. Just look what they've managed to get done recent months: A budget, health care reform, solving the state's water crisis, finding ways to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, fixing our underperforming schools...
They need a few luxuries after all that hard work, right?
Lol. I wonder what other perks they get. These folks should have to either stand in line or have their spouses do this type of thing. I'm sure that one of them, long ago, came up with the idea of locating an office there. I wish the Sacramento Bee would list all the perks these legislators have.
Again more perks for those that are undeserving. That office should have been the first cut but since they have state vehicles anyway they don't need to go there except to renew licenses because the state would handle all of their registration and tags for them.
Framing this office as a special “perk” for the Legislature is a misnomer. The DMV office in question is actually part of the department’s legislative operations. Its primary responsibility is to address constituent matters that have been elevated to a member’s office, and as a location near the Capitol for DMV’s legislative staff to work. It is permanently staffed by two managers who liaison directly with Legislative staff on a wide range of issues relative to new and existing legislation that involves the DMV. The Sacramento Bee incorrectly inferred to its readers that this office was among the group of 53 DMV field offices offering Saturday service that the Department announced would close during the month of August. In fact, the DMV legislative office is never open on Saturdays and is not included in that group.
--Michael Marando, Deputy Director/Communications. California Department of Motor Vehicles
Your correction is noted, but I'll believe that Legislators don't get special treatment when I see one actually standing in line.
Re: Michael Marando;
California DMV Director/communications.
DMV or "..departments legislative operations; it adds up to the same thing; special privileges for government officials [in all probability their kith and kin as well.]
That does not sit very well with WE THE PEOPLE committed to a government espousing egalitarian principles.
California is not a sovereign principality, to be ruled by a bureaucratic nobility. California is part of the U S, even if the other states are not always quite sure of that.
Re: Michael Marando, Deputy Director/communications, California DMV
DMV or "..departments legislative operations, it all adds up to the same thing;
special privileges for government officials [probably their kith an kin as well.)
That does not sit very well with WE THE PEOPLE committed to a government
espousing egalitarian principles. California is not a sovereign principality to be
ruled by a special privilege bureaucratic nobility. California is part of the United States, even if the other states are not always quite sure of that.