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As I See It

It is time for a part-time Wisconsin legislature

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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?

Scott Robert Shaw serves as WIZM Program Director and News Director, and delivers the morning news on WKTY, Z-93 and 95.7 The Rock. Scott has been at Mid-West Family La Crosse since 1989, and authors Wisconsin's only daily radio editorial, "As I See It" heard on WIZM each weekday morning and afternoon.

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