It’s been slim pickings at the Capitol cafeteria lately, and most of the menu items the place did have were overpriced.
Today, the Department of Administration announced that it will be taking over the cafeteria, currently run by Guest Services Inc. and officially called the Capitol Food Court. The state plans to shut down the cafeteria July 30, then reopen it in late August or early September. (Click here for the full announcement.)
To keep costs down, work-release inmates will staff the food court.
Also, the state won’t have to generate a profit, so that will hopefully make grabbing lunch at the Capitol cheaper.
Here‘s the Gazette story on the announcement.
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Seems a bit unfair that this cafeteria can use inmates at very low cost while other businesses must comply with minimum wage, workers comp rules, health care, etc. to conduit business in this State.
Where do we sign up to get some of this labor?
I think Governor Manchin should appoint his niece Mary Jo Thompson to run the cafeteria. The inmate work crew would be good company for her. She couldn’t run the state Development Office, but got a $6000 raise for running it in the ditch. She ran back to Uncle Joe’s office, but that is unnecessary. So, put that big pay ($88,000 a year) to work Mary Jo and head on over to the cafeteria. You would be a good pizza manager making sure just enough pepperoni is placed appropriately!
So inmates will now be working with food. If they think the cafeteria is empty now wait until the public finds out that non-paid inmates are working in the cafeteria. That was $3M of taxpayer money well spent – not.
just because they use inmates does not mean they don’t have to comply with workers comp or health care issues.
i think it is a shame they can’t rehire the folks they got rid of to start this massive flop. the food was way too expensive to be able to maintain that level of operation. the old place did a brisk business, tasted great and the service was excellent. you had a heck of a time finding a seat. there sure is a plethora of seating available now.
While we are at it, how about the WV Dept of Ag helping to seek out fresh local produce at a reasonable price, in the summer and fall, from the local Farmer’s Market.
Just love the “mentality” of our politicians. Notice the afterthought, quote:
“Also, the state won’t have to generate a profit, so that will hopefully make grabbing lunch at the Capitol cheaper.”
Cheaper for who?? I suppose taxpayers will continue to pay for this too just so all us unemployed citizens can give more out of our pockets to feed overpaid legislators in WV. NOW… that’s what I call “pork-fed.” SPECIAL OF THE DAY: PORK! Compliments of the taxpayers. Shame!
Here’s a thought, Governor; Imagine this is YOUR business and all money is coming out of YOUR paycheck.
That comment/mentality of oh well, we don’t have to make a profit; it’s not OUR money we are wasting, is EXACTLY the attitude that riles citizens up and I hope you have only those words to ‘eat’ when this gets out to all our unemployed citizens, worried & concerned for their families welfare in these hard economic times. Such a shameful comment which deserves an apology.