Legislators fattening pockets

The May 3 Journal Sentinel article on per diem for the state Legislature tells only half the story “Per diem ad makes its point.”

While cutting funding for public education, the University of Wisconsin System and other state agencies since 2011, the Legislature voted itself a 2% raise in 2013. The Assembly then voted itself a whopping 56% per diem increase in 2015 by secret ballot. The modest Senate voted for a 31% increase and, as the article pointed out, requires no proof of expenditure (they’re on their honor).

So these legislators are paid $50,950 in salary, receive a significant per diem, get travel reimbursement, an office allowance, health insurance and retirement benefits, all for working about a third of the year. Oh, they also have office staff. This is part-time work. Legislators work maybe 120 days per year.

Since Act 10, every state employee or institution has had its salaries, benefits or funding scrutinized, frozen or cut except for the state Legislature. Legislators operate like the old Soviet Politburo with secret votes and threats of funding compensation cuts if they don’t get their way. All along, they have been fattening their own pockets.

The topper is they are on their honor. The honor system requires an honest politician, an oxymoron for sure.

Wayne Meyer Oak Creek