I received a link to this article by a regular reader, and I thought it was so interesting that I'd share it with the group. (Thanks to "Too Much Coffee," whoever you are!)
According to the MJS:
Any legislator who tells you they didn't know about this benefit is either stupid or a liar, and I'm not sure either is really becoming of someone in public office. This article is pretty much your proof. You think that the leggies who were around for the sick leave bonus or the pension sweetener in the late 90's didn't know they were getting those benefits?
Most of their tales are similar to all of the sad, pathetic denials regarding the caucus scandal. "Oh gee, I didn't know how all of those helpers got up to my outstate district or who was paying them."
Nobody buys it, guys.
But as long as we're talking about benefits for former public employees, there's another group of people out there who fit that description: veterans. And their benefits are a hell of a lot more pricey than those of a bunch of retired public officials.
Said Ted Kanavas, "it’s ludicrous for people who are choosing to serve the public to receive a health benefit after their term service has ended." Sure, Ted. I'll go with that for now. And let's be honest. Whether you're a legislator, an agency employee, or a soldier, you're choosing to serve the public (we'll leave those drafted into the military out of the discussion for now). So why draw distinctions? The pride of serving one's state or country should be enough, right?
Am I being facetious? A little. But there's a point in there too. Why should I pay for 40 years of assistance to a retired, 30-year-old vet? Most of them are perfectly healthy and perfectly capable of paying for their own health care, college, property taxes, home loans, burial costs, or whatever other thing politicians want to give them for free next. Maybe some of our able-bodied vets should also step up like the Richie Riches of the legislature (Darling, Kanavas, and Ziggie, I'm looking at you) and voluntarily rescind all of their extravagant benefits too. Think about the role models they'd be! Think of the cost savings that could be had!
If this is all about cost savings, let's treat all former public employees the same. Doesn't matter if you earn your job, are elected, or join the military. Doesn't matter if you push a pencil or drive a tank. Get off the dole and pay your own way.
My take on how this will progress? Just like leggie pay raises did a few years ago. A couple of leggies gave back their raises and soon enough everyone forgot about it. Both houses will propose internal reforms to ensure that sick leave is better accounted for. And that will be that.
According to the MJS:
Wisconsin lawmakers' $38,056-a-year salary, due to rise 3% in January, is just one component of the benefits package they receive.The date on this article? April 9, 1996. That's right. The MJS was writing about this nearly 11 years ago, and nobody really cared.
Others include a sick leave bonus plan and credit for military service. The benefits can increase if a lawmaker wins appointment to a state agency, The Capital Times reported Monday.
Any legislator who tells you they didn't know about this benefit is either stupid or a liar, and I'm not sure either is really becoming of someone in public office. This article is pretty much your proof. You think that the leggies who were around for the sick leave bonus or the pension sweetener in the late 90's didn't know they were getting those benefits?
Most of their tales are similar to all of the sad, pathetic denials regarding the caucus scandal. "Oh gee, I didn't know how all of those helpers got up to my outstate district or who was paying them."
Nobody buys it, guys.
But as long as we're talking about benefits for former public employees, there's another group of people out there who fit that description: veterans. And their benefits are a hell of a lot more pricey than those of a bunch of retired public officials.
Said Ted Kanavas, "it’s ludicrous for people who are choosing to serve the public to receive a health benefit after their term service has ended." Sure, Ted. I'll go with that for now. And let's be honest. Whether you're a legislator, an agency employee, or a soldier, you're choosing to serve the public (we'll leave those drafted into the military out of the discussion for now). So why draw distinctions? The pride of serving one's state or country should be enough, right?
Am I being facetious? A little. But there's a point in there too. Why should I pay for 40 years of assistance to a retired, 30-year-old vet? Most of them are perfectly healthy and perfectly capable of paying for their own health care, college, property taxes, home loans, burial costs, or whatever other thing politicians want to give them for free next. Maybe some of our able-bodied vets should also step up like the Richie Riches of the legislature (Darling, Kanavas, and Ziggie, I'm looking at you) and voluntarily rescind all of their extravagant benefits too. Think about the role models they'd be! Think of the cost savings that could be had!
If this is all about cost savings, let's treat all former public employees the same. Doesn't matter if you earn your job, are elected, or join the military. Doesn't matter if you push a pencil or drive a tank. Get off the dole and pay your own way.
My take on how this will progress? Just like leggie pay raises did a few years ago. A couple of leggies gave back their raises and soon enough everyone forgot about it. Both houses will propose internal reforms to ensure that sick leave is better accounted for. And that will be that.
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