July 23, 2012
Thirty-One Legislators' Pay Does Not a Turnaround Beget
The latest political news meme in Rhode Island has been the public declaration of 31 General Assembly legislators that they intend to forgo their scheduled salary increases:
Starting this month, the annual salary for most members of the part-time state legislature rises from $14,185.96 to $14,639.90. The salaries for House Speaker Gordon D. Fox and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, who make twice as much as other lawmakers, went from $28,371.92 to $29,279.80.
Neither Fox nor Paiva Weed is on the "no raise" list, meaning that the election-year move will save the state all of $14,072 on its $8,099,856,384 (that is, 0.000174%).
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A "symbolic gesture."
Posted by: Dan at July 23, 2012 1:18 PMPosted by Dan
A "symbolic gesture."
Without doubt. However, a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.
I also think it says something about the "leadership" which is not refusing the raise.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at July 23, 2012 5:14 PMBut when the deluge is coming, that single step is laughable inadequate.
Posted by: Justin Katz at July 23, 2012 5:19 PMThe only truly meaningful gesture would be for all of them to issue an apology and resign.
If voters could be counted on to see past the lawn signs, billboards and headlines, maybe we'd have a shot at throwing the bums out.
If people weren't p*ssed enough in 2010, I'm afraid it ain't never gonna happen.
Posted by: Douglas Farnum at July 23, 2012 6:31 PM@Douglas,
I'm holding out hope. A lot has happened since the last election to piss voters off even more. We can only hope it's been enough.
Posted by: Max D at July 23, 2012 10:29 PM