County Commissioners and St. Paul Council Members (~56K), I was
disappointed. However, I always looked to and admired our State
Legislators as a ray of hope. These people work very hard on an
irregular schedule that would disrupt any person's life significantly
and they get ~31K plus a Per Diem. Although the Per Diem can add up and
may not be needed for those in the Twin City metro, I respected and
venerated these people for doing a civil duty for a compensation that
better reflected the civic nature of the job. However, I learned this
month that the Legislature has succumbed to the commercialization of a
civic duty.
Senate: Time to raise pay for Minnesota's lawmakers
http://www.startribune.com/politics/203127711.html
As I said, I truly respect the hard work of these people. However, I
feel that the core of this occupation is to give to the community
without making a financial career of it. Although this view may be
idealistic, it seems especially true at the local and state level
representation.
Yet, if this utopian view does not ring for you, it also seems strange
that the legislature chooses to raise salaries during the financial
stress of Minnesota. Whether you agree with increases in taxes (or fees
- Whatever they are called.) or further cuts, there are funding issues
for State agencies and services. Yet, the legislature chooses to raise
their salary? It is frustrating for those of us struggling to make our
monthly bills.
Please drop this bill and give us hope again.
Respectfully,
Ed Davis