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As I See It

Make them get back to work or dock their pay

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I find it shocking more people don’t run for the Wisconsin Legislature. The job certainly has its perks. Good pay, a staff, reimbursements for food, travel and lodging, and in Wisconsin, plenty of time off. Yet it is not uncommon for some legislative elections to not even attract an opponent. Who wouldn’t want that job? The state of Wisconsin’s Legislature is considered full-time, but they are working less than part-time. This year’s legislative session in Madison lasted only a couple of months. Then lawmakers gave themselves the rest of the year off. Yet they continue to draw a full-time salary. Wisconsin legislators make in excess of $57,000 a year and can claim more than $100 per day for time spent in Madison. That is costing taxpayers plenty, but we aren’t getting much in return. Our lawmakers have punted on many important issues, like PFAS contamination or what to do with the state’s budget surplus. Not all states are like Wisconsin. In fact, only ten states have full-time legislatures, and most are states much larger than Wisconsin, like California, New York and Illinois. Wisconsin should look into making its legislature part-time, like the majority of the states, or force our lawmakers to get back to work and start earning their keep.

Scott Robert Shaw serves as WIZM Program Director and News Director, and delivers the morning news on WKTY, Z-93 and 95.7 The Rock. Scott has been at Mid-West Family La Crosse since 1989, and authors Wisconsin's only daily radio editorial, "As I See It" heard on WIZM each weekday morning and afternoon.

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8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Brandon

    September 13, 2024 at 6:18 am

    When will Mike return?

  2. Greg

    September 13, 2024 at 8:11 am

    The funny thing is that it’s the Republicans doing this. Republicans are no longer conservative.

    • Me

      September 13, 2024 at 2:45 pm

      Yes the are they are conserving THEIR energy

  3. James

    September 13, 2024 at 11:11 am

    I say pay them 5 dollars a year over what kicks you off food stamps and badgercare, and not allow them to work another job. Maybe then they’ll actually see what a struggle it is to survive in this economy. Let them make the choice between getting a tooth pulled, feeding your kid, going to a doctor appointment, having dinner that night, or keeping your car insurance. Sorry you only get to pick one if your income is less than 35k a year.

  4. Susan Lemay

    September 13, 2024 at 12:19 pm

    I don’t think the majority knows this. Perhaps it should be published in local newspapers.

  5. Chris

    September 13, 2024 at 3:58 pm

    I say dock their pay. If I dont work i don’t get paid. It’s rediculous how are tax dollars are wasted I lost all respect for Republicans because of this. They are wasteful

  6. walden

    September 13, 2024 at 9:12 pm

    Amazon recently raised the wage for their drivers to $25.25; therefore, with overtime, an Amazon driver makes more than a WI state legislator. A brewery worker watching bottles on a conveyor makes even more. And these folks go home at night without a worry.

    California Gov Newsom recently said the California legislature (Dem controlled) sent over 900 bills to him to sign. Do you think that somehow makes the California legislature superior?

    Maybe you should ask Brad Pfaff and his local pal Dem legislators how they have so much time to get their picture taken and attend so many “watch parties.” Do these Dems do any work at all?

    Some of us don’t wait around, don’t expect, don’t want, the government to try to solve all our problems.

    And as for your dopey and hackneyed PFAS funding issue; the Gov signed the budget providing the funds but then has refused to follow up on his part of his own agreement to inform the legislature how he wants to spend the money. The Gov is a political weasel…its engrained in him by his public school administrator career path.

  7. Frank

    September 14, 2024 at 5:32 am

    Where is Mike Hayes these days

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