This can't have fit into Unka Karl's Big Book of Political Calculus. The wife of Mitch McConnel (R- Kentucky Horses Ass), Elaine Chao (who said nepotism was passé) has refused to delay the implementation of the changes to the new and improved business-friendly overtime rules.
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao yesterday denied a public request by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) to delay until September the department's business-backed plan to overhaul overtime rules.
...
...She said employers are spending $2 billion a year on "needless litigation" by workers seeking overtime pay. The lawsuits diverted money from "job creation and better pay and benefits," Chao said.
...
Employer groups applauded Chao's decision to push ahead with the revisions.
"It's a very favorable sign for employers," said employment lawyer Camille A. Olson. "She refused to delay the implementation."
...
The department has emphasized the portions of the regulations that would benefit low-wage workers. The new rules would make anyone earning less than $22,100 automatically eligible for overtime pay, up from $8,060, a figure last revised in 1975. But critics have noted that the rules would also exempt from mandatory overtime pay anyone "in a position of responsibility" or earning more than $65,000 a year.
"Without any hearings, with the stroke of a pen, the secretary of Labor is about to adversely affect the lives of millions of Americans," said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
As Chao got up from her knees and wiped off her mouth, she noted that her family net worth was pretty hefty and
Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the No. 2 Republican, listed mutual funds and a home owned by his wife, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, worth more than his own.
...Elaine Chao, Secretary of Labor and wife of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is the most affluent woman in the cabinet. She reports holdings of $100,000 to $500,000...
Perhaps Elaine will not miss those overtime dollars while slaving away at the DoL as her husband continues to support running up the National Debt at a frenetic pace. But I'm guessing that there are one or two voters out there who might miss a mortgage or car payment because of this. I guess it's something for Elaine to think on while she's vacationing at the beach, all expenses paid (of course) by a campaign contributor. Nah, worry is for the "little people".
posted by Jo Fish on 01.21.04 at 10:56 PM
Comments:
Wow! Sweet and Sour info on reps- this takes insider trading to anew level. Almost as bad to hear as the fact that Diebold's papertrail subcontractor is one whose client list includes Ingersoll-rand and Ford Motor Corp. Condie Rice was the Rand chair for a few years here...
As she said when talking about her Chevron days and a 136,000 ton oil tanker named after her and "conflicts of interest" that arise she just laughs it off.
Ms.Yellowcake award goes to her once again...
posted by: Mr.Murder on 01.28.04 at 05:13 AM [permalink]
