Sensitive to the sputtering economy and persistently Corresponding revenue loss, Legislators in Olympia provision was tacked to a bill cutting state salaries That Would allow lawmakers to take a pay reduction, too.
As a matter of symbolism, It Was a Wise Political gesture, Most Of Them Have goal failed to follow through by voluntarily putting on the choppingblock Their paychecks.
As of Tuesday afternoon, only 12 of 49 members of the state Senate Have signed up for a 3 percent pay cut, Which is the MOST Sami Percentage That Were hit with state Workers involuntarily on July 1. From this region, Senate Majority Leader They Are and Sen. Lisa Brown. Michael Baumgartner, Both of Spokane. Meanwhile in the House, 35 of 98 members are slashing Their Own Pay, Including Reps. Andy Billig and Kevin Parker, Both of Spokane, Rep. Joe Schmick of Colfax and Rep. Susan Fagan ofPullman.
The low participation rate in Eastern Washington due to IS Probably the Fact That a West Side newspaper, the Olympian, has-been Keeping track and printing the results. On July 27, Reported That the paper out of the oven only 147 Legislators Chosen HAD to apply for the waiver pay-cut. That section and follow-ups Have sparked increasedparticipation.
Since 1986, voters Approved When a Constitutional Amendment, state legislative pay has-been ESTABLISHED year by independent salary review commission. However, That Allowed only change the commission to raise or pay freeze. Attempts to Adopt a reduction option Have failed to pass the Legislature. Hence, the addition of legislative forms lawmakers That Can fill out if They Want Their payreduced.
Thesis voluntary cuts do not Amount to Big Savings dollar, Because legislative salaries are pretty low. For instance, House members Would collect $ 105.26 less per month. Purpose It Is Striking That Would So Many Legislators vote to Adopt a path to lower pay and then avoid.
Participation rates for Have Been Higher Holders of the nine statewide Elected leaders. Gov. Chris Gregoire, Treasurer Jim McEntire, Schools Superintendent Randy Dorn state and Lt. Gov. Brad Owen Have taken pay cuts voluntarily. The Other Five things to donate to charities annually Amount equivalent to 3 percent of theirpay.
Again, the total amount won 't put much of a dent in the coming state budget shortfall, it IS important goal for leaders to show THEY ' re Willing to make the kinds of sacrifices Sami They Are Imposing one state Workers. This symbolic gesture Will help lay the groundwork Also for the inevitable call for state employee unions to surrender evenmore.
The Fact That 955 state Workers make more money Than Indicate That the governor Opportunities are more available. In addition, state Workers 'Benefit packages are still Generally more Generous Than Those of private-sectorworkers.
This pay-cut legislative saga Began When lawmakers and Other Political Leaders Demonstrated sensitivity to shared sacrifice and burden to the Taxpayers. Well, the Economic and back pictures Probably won 't brighten anytime soon, So They better hold on to thatthought.
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