Comments about ‘House minority leader David Litvack says legislators should not get a pay raise’

This is the year they change the ridiculous law that gives them $90.00 for a hotel they don't use...if we have to cut back on NEEDED services to balance the budget...it's time to do away with food and hotel per diems.....I want to see a bill passed for that....

Wait, what? A Dem who doesn't want to spend more money? Good on you, mate. Well, at least in this case. Litvak is a good man.

I agree. If the State needs to cut spending, it should start at home with our elected officials.

Um, that last number is incorrect. At least for us it is. I am married to a legislator and our W-2 for 2009 stated that last year we earned 53% of that $15,000 number you came up with.

To Compensation - if a legislator receives $117 pay, $90 per day for lodging and $54 per day for per diem that equates to $11,745 minimum for the 45 day session. Yet you are claiming your spouse made $7,940. Who is your spouse, let us check Utah Right's to find out his/her pay.

RE: Compensation | 1:20 p.m. Feb. 3, 2010

It's scary that you're that dumb and married to a legislator.

Do you understand what the word 'average' means?

As in, "but on average, lawmakers make around $15,000 a year".

That means some make more, some make less. The number is not incorrect, you're just a moron.

Good call Rep. Litvak!
Let's see if our Republican leaders will stand up and support you.

I support no raises this year.

And, I applaud their voluntary PAY CUT last year. I encourage them to trim it again.

And, I don't care if a Dem or Republican proposes it. Vote out anyone who votes against it, of either party.

The Utah Insurance Department is taking 8, 10 hour furlough days per person to manage the cuts given by the Legislature. This includes not replacing positions due to retirements. The legislature should have to accept similar cuts in their wages.

Frustrated

I would be disgusted to find out the Legislators gave themselves a raise when we haven't had one for years!! State employees are suffering big time due to no raise and having to take furlough days. I can't even believe they are thinking twice about not giving themselves a raise. Good grief! I think they should also not take hotel money they don't use. It is frustrating!

Tax and spend liberals at it again.

Now you know how public employees like teachers feel when "average compensation" is quoted instead of "average salary". People love to get on websites like Utah's Right that supposedly show what public employees are being paid. The truth is that the state doesn't report the low salary. They report the higher "compensation" number, which includes the cost of insurance benefits, etc.

In this case your husband's money for meals and hotels is being counted as part of his compensation, which makes the number much higher than what he actually takes home.