The Statesman reports today on a comment by the Texas Ethics Commission that maybe it is time for us to consider giving the legislators a pay raise. Let's all agree that the current $7,000 annual salary is a joke. If we agree to that, don't we also have to agree that the current legislature is also a joke? Maybe the voters would jump on a pay raise if the legislature were actually getting things done in this state and not bickering and pissing on each other the whole time. Maybe if they were in regular session every year and not every other year. We don't mind paying someone that's doing a job, but right now we'd just as soon fire the whole lot and re-staff.
Let's take a business perspective.
MEMORANDUM
To: SENIOR MANAGEMENT
From: Chief Operating Officer
Re: Pay inequity and Performance Evaluation
Management is ineffective. Very few of the strategic goals for the last several years have been met on time and on budget. Some have failed even repeated project launch attempts. Clearly, we have to place this responsibility on management. Staff, on the other hand bears the responsibility of not accepting accountability for their mis-steps as well. Some business leaders say, you're only as good as your team. We need to incentivize our staff to accept responsibility and push back where appropriate.
As far as a pay-grade analysis is concerned, we have systemic issues across the board. Our low pay scale is not helping to recruit the best talent. Our current staff is subsidized by a variety of 'value-added benefits', freelance work, and outside vendors. The subsidizing of staff by outside vendors (lobbyists/interest groups) is the most troubling to us. While not necessarily a conflict of interest, we fear the 'appearance of impropriety' is high and may affect our ability to reach Quarterly goals.
We propose further analysis and out-of-the-box thinking to discuss these issues. We'd like to schedule a meeting as soon as possible with appropriate management and staff for feedback and proposals for voting members of the Board.
Thank you for your timely consideration of these issues. I am available the rest of this week if you have any questions.
Time for a full time legislature, I think.
I'm sorta tired of all the expertise being in the hands of the lobbyists, while the legislators largely bumble around, clueless as to the pros or cons of any piece of legislation.
Seems to me if Washington just keeps dumping more and more of its work on the states (devolution), that we ought to have a more professional legislature to deal with the problems of the 21st century. Can't do that too effectively with a part time, non-professional 19th century lege.
On the other hand, if you don't give a crap about public policy, and would just as soon drown government in the bathtub, why not just outsource the lege?
On the other, *other* hand, I guess that's just what the Leninger is trying to do.
"Owners' Box," indeed.
One name. Craddick. Fire him.
Ok, seriously. I kind of liked this post. 3 coments? THREE???
Well, yeah, but look at the three.
Maybe if I had boobs I'd get more comments. Guess we know what I'll be doing over Easter break!
That wasn't a subtle swipe at Pink Lady, was it? She is so gonna kick your ass. Looking forward to seeing the boobs at the party. Thanks for the election coverage. XXOO
I adore PL, I just don't understand why no one comments with such fervor here. If it weren't for Wonk pissing everyone off, we'd get bupkus.
Uh, maybe Wonk's the problem?
Trust me. Once the special and session gets started, they'll be here. Call it the interim doldrums (ID...kinda freudian.)
Pay legislators like teachers and give teachers benefits like legislators. Problem solved.
Ah yes, benefits. Nice pension and paid health insurance...for life.
If the lege got a raise, would their staff also get a raise? $1000 a month as a lege aide won't pay many bills either without help from Daddy and perhaps some friendly lobbyists supplying beverages. Look, here's an opening: http://www.house.state.tx.us/employment/jobs/legAssist_guillen.htm
FD: I am not nor do I ever intend to be a staffer....nttawwt.
Actually, i think wonk drives a lot of the comments but i have notcied that you get a lot more Rs reading this than PL does. They're very different animals, your two blogs.
You ANIMAL, you.
Sorry I didn't post a comment, PD, but I loved this entry so much, I read it aloud to my boss and co-workers here on the job.
- and, for the record, I'd rather enjoy the quiet than read Wonk's discharges.
oxcnawp
tefqks
What is the value of a court postponement when an assigned member of the legal team just happens to be in congress? IJS