As I See It
It is time for a part-time Wisconsin legislature
The work is largely over for the Wisconsin Legislature. They finally passed a new state budget, although two months late, and passed a couple of bills which became law. But although technically, the legislature is still in session, it doesn’t have any more meetings planned until mid-spring. Which makes us wonder, why is serving in the Wisconsin legislature a full time job? Members of the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly draw a full-time salary, they receive lucrative benefits, and can claim money for meals and lodging each day they are in Madison. Altogether, the state representatives pull down about $75,000 a year. Then you have to add up the cost of the money for their staff, at further cost to taxpayers. There is no reason that Wisconsin lawmakers should be paid a full-time salary, but only made to work part-time. Many states have a part-time legislature. In fact, Wisconsin is the smallest state in the nation, by far, to have a full-time legislature. Think how much money we would save if we slashed our lawmakers pay in half. If they aren’t working 40 hours a week, for 52 weeks a year, why should we pay them as if they are?