Reader comments
Hike state lawmakers' pay

Utah Republican | 6:27 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007

Legislator pay should be based on how much money they are willing to appropriate for education. If education spending per student increases by 10%, legislator pay increases by 10%.

We also need more professional educators in the legislature because they will already have an incentive to increase education spending.

Actually . . . . | 8:05 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007

I have a very hard time with legislators getting a raise. They're don't listen to the average person. Lawmakers pander to lobbyists and special interest groups. They aim to please the fringe groups on the margin of the politcal spectrum.

Spencer | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007

Government positions should be volunteer positions. Paying people in these positions only helps to attract the corrupt and power-hungry.

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Raises | 9:38 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007

I agree - give them raises. I'm happy that they're trying to be innovative and forward-thinking in spite of us.

As we've seen lately, the average Utah voter is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Kudos to those lawmakers who try to do the right thing all the while knowing it will hurt them in the polls.

Remember, America is a Republic, not a democracy. We elect people to do what's best, not what's most popular.

Thank you to all those who risk their careers to bring sanity to this state in spite of its populus.

Thanks, DesNews | 9:50 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007

I have no problem at all paying legislators a good wage for the work they do. If we didn't, most people could not afford to serve.

But I emphatically agree with the need to tie any pay increase to a ban on all "gifts" from lobbyists. Pay the legislators for their time, and reimburse their legitimate expenses. But put an end to the utterly unethical practices that allow lobbyists to buy influence.

Utah Teacher | 11:11 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007

I have no problem with paying them. It has to stink to get blasted by people all the time for the job you do. I can relate. I'm a teacher and while the kids and parents tell me thank you quite often, the media and letters to the editor rarely do.

I didn't get in it for the thank you factor but it is nice to hear once in a while.

My other point is related to the per diem stuff.

I recently had to drive 45 miles to SLC for a workshop on writing test items for the state test. We were told that if we drove 50 miles one way we would be reimbursed for our travel and we could get a hotel room and spend the night. I drove 45 miles and received neither. It was said that it was considered normal travel (I drive or bike 3 miles to work each day).

Per diem for meals? Dream on....

I would just like to see us all on a level playing field when it comes to this kind of stuff. The legislators are state employees too. We should all be treated the same.

They are overpaid | 12:17 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

$6480 for room and board for SIX WEEKS? And we give that to people who live right here in SLC? These people have no shame . . .and now they want MORE money?

We should give them vouchers to Motel 6 for their lodging and Chuck-A-Rama for lunch and dinner. If that's not good enough for them, they can pay the rest out of their pockets instead of mine!

I travel extensively with my work, usually with little notice (so I don't have time to find the best deals). I have rarely had to spend more than $75 per day for lodging and meals, and the only times I've spent more than $100 were when I was stuck in towns with special events running, like Las Vegas during a major trade show.

There is no excuse for legislators to claim they need over ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS A WEEK just for room and board!

Smith | 12:54 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

Well, when I see some results from the legislators that show they really deserve a pay raise, I'll vote for it. But, of course, I guess I'm NOT allowed to vote for any such pay raise, am I? ?? They will vote for me.

When I see some legislation passed that reduces property taxes to affordable levels, stops drivers driving with their precious cell phones in hand while endangering the lives of everyone about them, and solving the myriad of problems that are far more important than pay raises and building new state buildings; --- it is then I'll support this move.

Wayne | 1:04 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

From 2001 to 2006, Utah wages have DECREASED! And the legislators want an INCREASE?

Utah wage in 2001 was $13.75. In 2006 it was $13.25. Nationally, wages are $14.81 (Deseret News - Voices for Utah Children)

No, I don't believe so! Let's come down to earth Mr. Legislator.

Dale | 2:43 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

How many employees of any corporation get pay raises like this? And I don't mean executives and upper level management!

fr1nk | 2:49 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

Let them vote themselves a raise...then vote them all out of office.

Buster | 2:59 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

Ethics reform first (it would be great if they had any ethics at all), then we'll talk about a pay raise.

JR | 5:38 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

Excuse me! But didn't these folk volunteer for these positions knowing what it was going to involve. They put their egos out there and asked the public to vote for them. I think the public should vote on whether they get a raise as they seem to have forgotten they volunteered to serve the people

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