Because being cheap is quite the positive attribute

There's now a sign on the refrigerator next door stating that the bottles of water and Coke on the bottom shelf are for the chief executive and Governor's guests only. (The Governor steps foot in the office he keeps here *maybe* three times a year.) That's fine. I guess I can understand that. Although, that *is* a communal fridge and a common breakroom, and a case of water costs less than ten dollars. But overlooking handful of staff in the offices that commonly do business in that suite taking the occassional bottle of water is apparently cutting into their "giftbags and assorted bs" budget. In addition to this, there's now a sign by the coffee machine saying that we're "welcome" to partake in the often poorly brewed coffee from the big percolator, but that contributions to the supplies are "appreciated". Half the time, when I go over there, the executive's assistant hasn't even bothered to make it, so I end up doing it (which is fine, because a lot of people over here brew something that resembles burnt tar). I love when the illusion of generosity gets ripped away, and you can see what's really underneath: a bunch of people pinching a penny and losing a pound as they pander to politicians and corporate muckity-mucks who ultimately will do very little to contribute to the success of this institution, as the ridiculously loyal staff (not all of them hard-working, but, still...) continue to get squeezed. No COL in four years, because we're "state employees" when it suits the legislature. Budget cuts for two years, affecting primarily the staff levels, and hitting maintenance especially hard. The ability to pay $10K for a cubicle for an executive assistant who turns around and retires, and various under the radar increases for favorite employees or as hush money for others, but little money and advancement opportunity for those who really are working their asses off. It all adds up to the hard truth that I've worked here way too long.