Gee, Isn’t it About Time!
Today there was a press conference including Republicans, Democrats, and Progressives announcing we plan to take a 5-percent pay decrease the same way many state employees have had to take a reduction in pay. When the Republicans suggested this last year many of the people in the other parties weeped and wailed and gnashed their teeth that they were too important to take a pay cut. I voluntarily took mine.
Not everybody in the State House agrees with me, even some of the people who are requesting a pay decrease, but I think Vermont legislators are paid quite well. It isn’t a job we should be able to get rich at, and we certainly shouldn’t get paid far more than our constituents. You should hear some legislators whine about the sacrifices they make in serving. My bit of advice for them - of any party is - don’t run. For me it is an honor to serve as a legislator. No, it isn’t easy trying to balancing my service with owning a business and having a family, but I knew what I was signing on for when I handed in my petition to run so I refuse to whine. When whining about my pay or the time it takes to serve I guess it will be time to pack my backs and bid the Gold Dome farewell.