Lee Elci: You’ve written a column “12 ways Lamont Fails to Grasp the Impact of Giving State Employees a 33% Raise.” And I know we've been talking about this a lot. But here's what I wanted to do today. I have a set of dice, Red,. I'm going to roll the dice and whatever number comes up, we'll talk about that particular issue in your column. How's that sound?
Red Jahncke: That's that's great. All right.
Lee Elci: Here we go. The dice are out and the number is six. I would like you to talk to me about number six, Lamont saying, “Remember, we've had a pretty good inflation in the last six years.” Well, inflation over that period was 2.5%. Take it away, Red,
Red Jahncke: First, just a little bit of context. Labor cost, is the largest single expense that the state has.
But, I'll go to number six. Yes, 33% for state employees under Ned Lamont. Six years inflation over the period, 25%. The average private sector worker in the nation 23%. State employees are 10% ahead of their compatriots in the private sector. Just not fair, just not sustainable. I mean, the private sector is what generates the economic activity that supports the government expenditures we make. If the private sector is lagging, we can't sustain a 10% premium for public sector workers.