Can You Get Paid for the Whole Year to Work Only Until March 9?
2006 is a good year to work at the State Capitol, according to Republican leadership. Word is that the GOP leaders want us to finish session on March 9 for the year. That gives us two weeks to finish all legislative activity. Bills that don’t pass will die.Now we “officially” have some time calendared for April and May and December to take additional action, but any scheduled periods after the “end” are generally for special bills or employee contracts.
So here's my question: If the legislature finishes on or near March 9 and doesn’t address any of the issues that the public really is talking about, what does that mean for the legislative leadership? How does that affect how the public looks at each and every legislator?
The Republican majority calls us in to work and tells us when we’re done. But from most people’s perspectives, we haven’t done much this legislative session. Once again, we had a session that focused on “God, Gays and Guns”, rather than healthcare, education and tax fairness.
How does the public perceive a legislature that doesn’t take up issues that really affect their lives, but quits trying in March and will likely still collect lots of per diem dollars on top of their salaries for the rest of the year?
I think I know the answer. Hint: Look for a lot of new faces coming to the legislature next year.
And to the anonymous posts from GOPers that will follow, you can bash me about taking my salary all you want. The difference is I want to get some real work done and am prepared to do whatever it takes to do that. I don’t have to rush to Northeastern Wisconsin to “meet” my constituents in a quest for a new job. Do you really think every GOP legislator wants to walk off this cliff with their departing leader? We’ll find out.
posted by Mark Pocan @ 10:14 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Since the legislature isn't interested in working on real problems, maybe having them go home in March isn't such a bad thing. If they stayed for a few more months, just think of all the damage they could do (like, there are state parks that are just sitting around growing trees, we could be selling those and using the money for tax rebates. Or why not go South-Dakota and give Roe v Wade a test?)
How many hours will you be in session this year?
I agree, less time may be good in the sense that fewer bad bills will progress. My question is, however, how do incumbent legislators get away with telling their constituents they quit working in early March but still get paid? We've been in session about ten days this year, my guess...
So if you've only been in session for 10 days this year, then you have only claimed $440 for per diem payments? Yeah, I doubt that. What does one use $44 per day for when your home (309 N. Baldwin) is less than 2 miles from the Capitol? Those are some pretty good lunches.
Hey, Floyd -
Why don't you give John Gard a call and ask him where his $88 a day is going when he lives only 10 miles from the Capitol. Bet he could make it home, eat lunch, save the taxpayers a few bucks, and still make it back in time to fill out his per diem sheets, eh?
Anon-
Using the behavior of John Gard to defend Mark's bad behavior isn't exactly a great argument. I don't think any legislator should get a per diem, especially not when they can claim mileage to drive to work as well. It just so happens that Mark lives the closest to the Capitol of any legislator his behavior is especially egregrious,
2 miles? I bet Pocan drives to work too. Some enviro he is.
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