Reader comments
Legislators boost staff salaries

That's Why | 12:35 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

So I guess in their eyes it's ok to keep the gas prices among the highest in the country. Hey, if you can collect a pay increase that will offset it then why not? After all, the rest of the working force that pays these people's wages with their taxes will be luck to see a 3% increase in our meager wages.

Integrity for sale | 4:15 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

The price of remaining loyal to the declining Republican brand is going up.

Utah Bill | 6:26 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

It's interesting to watch legislative leadership dance around on this one. They have been frugal with Executive Branch salary allocations, but not so with their own.

The article overlooks the main reason for the discrepancies of "Do as we say - not as we do." The Legislative approves its own budget, which is always problematic in government. You've got the fox guarding the hen house. What it comes down to is that they can allocate to themselves as much money as they want.

Legislators regularly tell agencies, ï¿½If employees are going to leave for higher pay, let them. Thereï¿½re more bodies where they came from.ï¿½ But, when faced with the fact their own staff may leave, they are willing to pony up the dollars. Itï¿½s an obvious double standard.

But, nothing will come of this. The Legislators will see this as just another ï¿½attack from the hostile pressï¿½ and continue to do as they please. For, unless we vote them out, there is no accountability for their actions.

Comments continue below

CITIZEN-X | 6:47 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

VOTE OUT THE INCUMBENTS,THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!

Greg Curtis | 7:24 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Mr. Curtis, Please, please go. You've made plenty of money as a lobbyist/lawyer for Anderson Development. You don't need the money, Utah doesn't need the bullying from your pulpit and certainly doesn't need the throttle hold that you place on two-party democracy. For the first time in your career, do something for Utah. Go!

Power of the Purse | 7:45 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Power of the Purse should remain with the people when it comes to deciding the salary of government officials. If government officials believe they need a higher salary then it should be on the ballot. If the people consistently are denying a salary increase maybe we think you are getting paid too much already. Or perhaps we think that your salary shouldn't go up every year when the rest of us don't necessary have yearly salary increases. And if the govt official doesn't like the pay that WE THE PEOPLE DICTATE then go somewhere else. You politicians are a dime a dozen and we will have someone else fill your shoes quickly.

In precis LET THE PEOPLE HAVE POWER OVER GOVT SALARY INCREASES, WHICH IS THIER RIGHT TO HAVE!

Brent | 10:46 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

I think we need to limit their terms in office just like the the governors and mayors. that way they don't get to comfortable in their posts and maybe they wouldn't be able to pass items that would bolster their private businesses. That may also limit their spending and pay increases.

Lynn | 11:39 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

The problem with letting the public vote for salary increases, is that so many people are apathetic when it comes to educating themselves on the issues. How many of the general public are going to know what a competitive salary is for all of those types of jobs? How do we know what that individual person is worth and what kind of work they do? I think we all know that not all employees are equal. What do you do with the grandmother who has been at her post for 40 years and doesn't want to update her skills. Should her pay be the same as a more ambitious employee who learns cutting edge skills and is contributing and improving what their office can do? How can we as a general public know about that? I personally feel overwhelmed trying to get to know all of the issues and politicians on the ballots already. I think the solution is in part getting people really educated about things and people before they vote. (It sounds like Representative Curtis' district is finally doing that) If you do not feel that a politician is doing their job well, vote them out.

In the Know | 11:53 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Carole Peterson was one of the best and most experienced House of Representatives Clerks in the nation. Her skills and knowledge are still unmatched. If anyone deserved a raise, it was her. This story was very revealing. Why didn't Greg Curtis treat her fairly?

orion | 12:06 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Increases of 49%? 32%? 80%? 77%? 62%? My oh my.

Where do I stand in line for those kind of increases? It sure hasn't appeared in the teaching or public safety professions.

I just can't wait to vote come November.

IM | 12:32 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

I don't have an issue AT ALL with people getting paid good money. Most of the people that are posting on here are the VERY FIRST ONES to complain when government goes bad. If you want smart, good employees that understand the process then you have to pay them. That's the bottom line.

Stop complaining.

Audit not paid enough | 12:36 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

In my opinion Legislative Auditors are not paid enough. This is one dept that saves taxpayers money, they are infact the watchdog watching the hen house as opposed to the fox. So if you only want more abuse then go and cut salaries and wages in this dept. As an outside auditor, I am amazed at the quality of work that is routinely generated out of this sector of the government. Look back at the number of articles in the paper that hails all the good work they do. Go on line and read their audit reports and then make a judgement. To just publish salaries without looking at results is an unfair tactic by the D-News and a little supprising. What did salaries do the 5 years prior to your analysis (Down, up, flat)? What is the savings that has been provided to the average tax payer. Do some real financial analysis and lets see what you find!

Big Deal | 12:50 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Blah, blah, blah. You guys are making a mountain out of mole hill. If you want talented managers/analysts/auditors, you have to pay for them. These salaries are not out of line.

Sandy Slush | 12:52 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Isn't Mrs. Tenney the wife of a Sandy councilman?

Deseret | 1:04 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Well, Now the truth is out
Time these Republicans are kicked out of office
Utah'ns are having enough problems paying the bils, We don't need frugal Dictators

much ado about nothing | 1:18 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Salaries over 7 years have increased by 49%. This isn't that far out of line. I teach and have been teaching for 14 years my salary has increased 100% over the 14 years. Of course that includes more education and traing that wasn't paid for, but the state workers probably have to do simmilar things to keep up on things. Went from $20,000 when I started and now make just over $40,000.

Who? | 1:29 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Who is this Carole Peterson character - "I want more money so my retirement pension is more lucrative." How about working for it rather than whining and complaining.

Auditors Worth It | 2:13 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

I don't know about the rest of the group, but the Legislative Auditors are worth their weight in gold. Not many organizations in state governement can tout the kind of savings and thus benefit to me the tax payer. Look at their audit reports published on their web site. In terms of government, Legislative Audit is a well oil machine.

Willbur | 2:15 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Note to Carole Peterson: You are not alone. We taxpayers have also had enough of Curtis' crap. Why is this clown seemingly always in the middle of everything? Hopefully, the voters in his district will get rid of him in November.

Anonymous | 2:40 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Makes ya proud to be an American - doesn't it?

Accountability? | 3:08 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

I'm fine with this as long as they are ACCOUNTABLE for these raises. Do more--make more--just like they have been telling the teachers for the last several years. I'm tired of accountability only applying to the teachers.

I want the Legislature to now come up with very costly and time consuming plans on how they will MEASURE each member of their staff and the hoops they must jump through in order to qualify for these raises!

Vote | 3:33 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Repay in kind in November. As the saying goes "All power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely." It's time for a change to get the those in entrenched on capital hill out and some new blood into the legislature; those who truly want to serve the people and not those there to serve there own pocket books and the pocket books of their friends.

Craig Coleman | 3:55 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

I guess I don't get the point of reporting the size of people's pay raises. I think a more useful analysis would include comparisons between states. What do people doing similar jobs in other states make? Is the purpose of your story to inflame or inform?

and so it goes | 3:57 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

I'm waiting for some lunatic right-winger to start threatening everybody who is complaining about this
situation as traitors, or America-haters.

WVC | 4:14 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

I agree with Mr. Coleman. Bernick's intent was to get hits on his article's link, and he got them by writing an article that was made inflammatory by focusing on salary increases over a short period while not delving into the corresponding results or reasons for those increases.

Is Legislative staff more educated than it was before? Was it underpaid before? Were people leaving because they were underpaid? What kinds of savings are provided to the public? Are ALL the employees "overpaid," or just the admin assistants. What a poorly written article. It's laughable. I'm embarrassed that I wasted my time reading it and writing this. The article did not inform.

To Vote: 3:33 above | 4:18 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

You're mistaken if you think quality legislative staff work will occur by volunteer citizens working out altruism. The work is sophisticated and the process is delicate. The salaries may be higher than those of some blue-collar workers, but the Legislative staff's corporate counterparts make more money than they do.

This article was one-side and written poorly.

Anonymous | 4:32 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

The fact that Ms. Peterson wanted a raise to $70k just so she could get a better retirement and is willing to admit that in a newspaper is pretty shameful (and politically naive for someone running for office)! Why would any employer want to pay somebody more just so they can leave and then draw a lot more money from the employer for the rest of their life? Sure, they're paying the new clerk more, but she's actually *working* for them, not just setting herself up for a juicier retirement.

I think only public employees think these retirement games are legitimate practices.

ElkMan | 7:40 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Greg Curtis takes about tax cuts and how the Republicans have held the line. I have news for you. Curtis and band of neo-cons have passed on several tax increases in Salt Lake County alone. He helped pass a School funding equalization tax in the county to help fund the West Side of the Jordan District. This tax is being passed on to Granite, Salt Lake and Murray Districts. These District have had to raise their taxing level in order to pay for these new taxes. Curtis was also influential in passing a law for the School Districts to start paying for Charter Schools. These taxes are being passed on to the average Utah Citizen. Curtis also was instrumental in pushing the split of Jordan District. The new School Board is now asking for a 600 million dollar bond for the new East Side District. If you believe the GOP bull crap about not raising taxes think again. We need to elect Seegmiller in November. Let's send Curtis packing.

Mr. Obvious | 10:56 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Utah didn't arrive at "Best Fiscally Managed State", numerous staff achievement awards, the Digital Democracy award, etc. by retaining average employees.

DNews readers know as well as anyone that excellent staff is hard to find, harder to keep, and it rarely comes cheap.

Utah Conservative | 11:04 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

These lawmakers, including Bramble and Curtis disgust me! Many of the comments from lunatic left are, in this case, right on the money. These guys run for re-election on their tax payer advocate position then spend like drunken sailors.

I would like to see all of them thrown out of office... republican AND democrat!

Wonder | 12:09 a.m. Aug. 26, 2008

And you wonder why Americans are so suspect of those in Washington feeding at the public trough as well as those Citizens of Utah who have equal emnity for the Gov and legislature who also feed at the public trough.

These people knew coming in that their service was not going to be compensated fairly. They need to move on if their greed has overcome their desire to serve.

GOOD RIDANCE!

Poly Sci 101 | 11:38 a.m. Aug. 26, 2008

Bob - A few comments on methodology and/or corrections of fact from a fellow policy wonk. All of this data can be derived from the Legislature's web site.

1. While state GF/EF funding and Fiscal Analyst TOTAL funding both increased by 50% over seven years, Fiscal's GF/EF funding increased by 38% during that time.

2. You note an 80% increase in the Auditor's budget over seven years versus a 29% increase in audits (17 to 22). But the 29% is over only three years. Using seven years in both cases, budgets went up by 80% and audits went up by 100% (11 to 22).

3. You mention an increase in workload in Research and General Counsel, but don't document it. Was it comparable to the budget growth?

4. You compare average salary changes statewide to "larger" salary changes in the Legislature. "Average" implies that there are both highs and lows. Again using a consistent timeframe, and including both highs and lows, over the past seven years state government compensation has increased on average 43%. For the same period, the Legislature's compensation has increased 44%.

Auditors | 2:37 p.m. Aug. 26, 2008

Be glad Bob isn't working for the Legislature. People like Poly Sci 101 are.

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