As I See It
Idea of cutting lawmaker’s pay a gimmick
It is a novel idea from one democratic candidate for Governor in Wisconsin. He wants to cut the pay of state representatives, making it equal to what first year teachers earn. Candidate Tony Evers is currently the Wisconsin State Superintendent of Schools, and he continues to be upset about Governor Walker’s cuts to teacher pay. That is understandable given his position, but the idea is a bit wacky. Evers wants to reduce the pay of Wisconsin state lawmakers, now $51,000 per year, to $37,000, the average salary for first year teachers in the state. That idea certainly won’t go anywhere in the legislature. Lawmakers are not going to be eager to trim their salaries. And cutting wages to match of that of first year teachers is arbitrary at best. Why not cut their salaries to match that of those working in radio if we really want to punish them? Evers idea would cut wages for those not just who voted for Act 10, but those who voted against it, as well as lawmakers who weren’t even in office when the vote is cast. Evers is right that Wisconsin state representatives are overpaid for the work they do. Keep in mind, they only actually met in session a couple days this year, and will remain on vacation for the rest of this year. We shouldn’t be paying full-time wages to those doing a part-time job. But cutting their wages to match teacher salaries is no more than a gimmick.
Jeff Pralle
June 18, 2018 at 12:15 pm
I understand the concern with spending on Foxconn and all involved yet I do get disturbed by all the negativity and no one talking about the long term benefits that will be coming from the Foxconn project.
We need to look 50 to 100 years down the road at what benefits this project can have for Wisconsin. It has been reported that it can make Wisconsin the strongest state economy in the nation for a long long time. How about talking about that??
Roads; we never hear about the billion dollars taken from the State road fund during the Doyle administration, that we have not recovered from. Or the fact that during 12 years of Doyle as governor and 12 years of Walker as governor we have spent 24 billion dollars more under the Walker administration. When will we hear about that?? When will we hear that Wisconsin has the strongest economy in its history?? From what we hear you would think WI is ready to go broke.
I agree with many of your comments and I think you do a good job but there seems to be a slant against our Governor.