Comments on: Salary storm

By: suzlon wind energy in wyoming

suzlon wind energy in wyoming — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:24:28 +0000

To follow up after my okra questions to you, got past the black spots on the leaves appeared to be ant related , bumpy leaves do not know but did not seem to cause any major problems , voracious grasshoppers, had a beautiful stand of okra plants with lots of blossoms. Had about 3 weeks of rain and c

By: software kasir

software kasir — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:16:21 +0000

Magnificent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific website.

By: Paul Monies

Paul Monies — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:26:13 +0000

Gary,

This has been mentioned above, but *all* of these people listed in both Oklahoma’s Open Books database and the Houston Chronicle’s database are public employees. This kind of salary information has been available in the *offline* world for quite some time. The Internet has just made it easier for residents and taxpayers to see where their tax money is going.

And sorry, I just don’t see where publishing a name and salary would open up that person to identity theft. Take a look at the posting I made earlier this year (http://blog.newsok.com/datawatch/2008/03/19/a-step-backward-part-ii/) for some more information on the real and perceived dangers of identity theft and public documents.
–Paul

Paul

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:30:38 +0000

If the intention was to show where the money goes and for what, then why is it necessary to publish full names of non-management personnel? By publishing the names you give enough information for someone who really wants to abuse the information the opportunity to cause major financial problems for honest hard working citizens who by the way also pay taxes. What is next? Maybe the salaries and benefits for all military personnel? If you goal was to eliminate the desire for anyone to take a public service job you are on the right track but you might want to remember that it is public servants who make the system run. Remember that the next time you call 9-1-1 or need help from a public agency.

By: monitor

monitor — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:20:06 +0000

Thanks for the above.

By: Dean Betz

Dean Betz — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:14:36 +0000

Thanks for writing about our database project, Paul.

Giving citizens in Houston visibility into how much their public employees earn is consistent with the watchdog role that the Chronicle and other news organizations perform. It helps the public monitor how its dollars are being spent, and gives it insight into whether the money is being used wisely. For example, details in the database like incentive pay and overtime help citizens understand how public employees are managed. Shedding light on details like this can also uncover news stories that wouldn’t emerge if the information were not easily accessible by citizens.

It’s an issue that goes to the core of how our governments operate. Taxpayers pay the wages of public employees and are entitled to know how much is being paid. And what is being earned isn’t trivial; employee salaries often make up the single largest item in governments’ budgets.

The database includes no more personally identifying information than is necessary, specifically, the employee’s name and job title. It does not include information such as employee identification numbers, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and Social Security numbers. Also, the information presented in the database is publicly available to any person; the Chronicle is making it easier to access, and is providing useful context and a venue to discuss issues around the pay of public employees.

By: Ryan McNeill

Ryan McNeill — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:02:01 +0000

Nothing like the idiot stampede that occurs when people start worrying about identity theft. Studies have shown, along with an attorney general’s opinion in Washington, that there’s little evidence public records EVER contribute to identity theft.

Besides…a boss deserves to know what his employee makes, right? The taxpayers are the boss.