On the Budgetary Ball

So for those of you who missed it, PA passed its budget last night. And me, being a little eager, went on to the state website to get a copy this morning. Much to my dismay, I couldn't find it. If you've used the PA General Assembly website before, you know how difficult it is to navigate. I skimmed and scanned and searched and...nothing. So I did what everyone else would do in this situation: I called my local representative's office.
They seemed shocked to hear from me. Yeah, I know we live in a small, politically inactive area. I'm just glad they picked up.
Well, after the shocked answeree found out I wanted the budget, he said he didn't know where to find it. I stated it had been signed yesterday, and he said I would then have to wait 24-48 hours for the document to be uploaded and publicly available! What! How are bills that are proposed and in committee and even tabled immediately available, but the budget, the biggest deal of them all, is not available until 2 days afterwards!
I know it's huge. But its also been electronic during this whole process (passing from legislator to secretary to committee to chamber etc) so it shouldn't be too too difficult to upload the final copy.
I'm only frustrated because the days for out funding are numbered here at the fire house, and I know that the little money we receive from the state will dwindle for smaller companies. It's terrifying. We need new equipment, new brakes for the trucks, and we're understaffed. Cuts mean no new gear, no fixed engine, and even the loss of firefighters. Yes, I understand that people think that the public sector needs to shrink. I get that wholly and completely. But until citizens are willing to realize shrinking funding means shrinking services, I don't think they'll understand that we're monetarily headed to a bad place. And, if I hear one more person say that public sector employees are paid too much I'm going to go nuts. Take it from a low level public sector employee: we're paid poorly, work long hours, are expected to meet lofty goals, and, if you're in a place like me, don't get PTO, benefits, or anything resembling assistance.
Equip my crew!

Bluntness, skinniness, training, and sticky buns

We're having a training session here at the firehouse, meaning that there are a ton of people here as opposed to our usual 4-7. Volunteer firefighters, police, everybody! Parking has been a dog, but I love to have a full house. Even Chief B is here, which is where today's smile stems from.

For the trainees, we have food, and being that they're big guys, we have A LOT of food. Our secretary likes to torture me with food (since I'm trying to stay in shape, an ongoing battle) so she put a sticky bun the size of my face on the table in front of me. Chief B, passing through during a training break sees said bun and myself at the desk and the following commentary ensues just as I'm about to give in and have a "tiny" bite.

"Don't eat that whole thing! You're too cute to do that!" And then quickly realizing what he might imply, back pedals a little: "Not that you're fat!" He gets this "d'oh!" look on his face and starts to walk away, with me laughing in the background. "You're too pretty to be fat!"

Needless to say, I didn't eat the sticky bun. I did however give into a few M&Ms. I know, I know. Hypocritical. But I'm a sugar fiend.

In any case, at least I have Chief B to keep me in line this week!