Imagine going into your boss' office and explaining that you don't make enough money and deserve a 150% raise. I'm pretty sure what his or her reaction would be.
However, that didn't stop Senator John Morse, who recently told a Gazette reporter that lawmakers should be making “in the neighborhood of $80,000.” Most legislators make $30,000 plus per diem. In fact, Morse came under fire this year for collecting almost $50,000 in per diem charges in 2009. Apparently, he billed the state for almost $80,000 in 2009, not because he earned the money, but because he deserves that money.
Remember, this is the same Morse that criticized the Secretary of State for moonlighting. Earlier this year on the senate floor, Morse said, “The Secretary of State needs to tighten his belt just like every family in Colorado has to.” As part of his tantrum, Morse also said, “This is the same Secretary of State that didn't think he could do the job on the $68,500 salary that it provided.” Nevermind the fact that Morse actually made more than the Secretary of State in 2009.
Fast forward a couple months and Morse is quoted as saying, “Peoples' finances shouldn't be a barrier to their ability to serve. There are a million reasons not to run for public office, and that shouldn't be one of them.” Fascinating. Morse's tone away from the gold dome is strikingly different. I'm disappointed the reporter wasn't struck by this hypocrisy but maybe someone else could ask Morse if his opinion of Gessler has changed.
FOR A REASON!!! Keeping their paychecks low is the only way of ensuring that people who run for elected office:
A. have a real job
B. have some sort of record of accomplishment OUTSIDE of politics
C. actually care about representing the interests of the people (or party) instead of just collecting a paycheck for themselves (aka Washington DC)
D. aren’t a Union Thug or Bureaucrat (typically) since their cushy high paid salaries and lack of real world experience aren’t very good answers to the question “why are you qualified to run for office?”
E. utilize their best skill sets to chart a course for our state’s future
F. YOU GET A LOT MORE bipartisan legislation passed with a smaller impact because people don’t have to Wisconsin-ize and flea the state when their special interest gets screwed!
Am I forgetting anything?
…having such a low salary probably keeps a lot of really good people from running because they just can’t afford the pay cut. I understand where you’re coming from, but sometimes I wonder if we’d be able to get legislators who aren’t just a bunch of retired teachers or lawyers to represent us if the job paid better.
I kind of like having legislators’ salaries so low. It helps ensure they aren’t running for office just for the money.
Morse has to pay for his passion pit somehow. What’s Gessler’s excuse?