Legislative pay freeze proposed
MADISON -- Democratic legislative leaders sent a letter to their colleagues on Thursday, asking them to support rejecting a 2 percent pay increase set to take effect in two years.
Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan of Janesville and Senate Majority Lead Russ Decker sent the letter, asking other Republican and Democratic lawmakers to sign on.
The letter would ask for a special meeting of the committee that approves legislative salaries to freeze the increase set to take effect in January 2011.
The letter says such a move would demonstrate solidarity with people who are struggling during the recession.
Lawmakers have been criticized for accepting a 5.3 percent pay raise over two years that took effect this year. Several of them refused to accept it. Sheridan was among those who accepted the raise.
Mar 13, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mike Sheridan still doesnt say he will return the current pay raise and as far as his residence his son lives in the house he claims that is his residence. John Gard and Marlin Schneider might live in the Madison area but at least they are closer to Madison while Mike Sheridan actually lives farther away from Madison then his claimed residence. Its always nice to hear Mike compare himself to John Gard.
Mar 13, 2009 at 1:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Hey voices, thanks for the mention of "Snarlin'". Needed a laugh and haven't heard him mentioned in ages. What a hoot!
Mar 13, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
Hey Roadmaster, Don't forget about Rep. 'Snarlin' Marlin Schneider. He has represented Wisconsin Rapids in the Assembly for decades, but has lived in Madison for nearly as long. This sort of thing is definitely bipartisan.
Mar 13, 2009 at 10:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
mike must have read a few posts from his area and took a look at the concerns of the exact people who elected him to do the right thing for the working class and I think that was a good move on his part as to this article.
Mar 13, 2009 at 10:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
Friday 1-2-09 Janesville Gazette
State Officials are divided on taking raises
Rep. Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville—Sheridan, Assembly speaker-elect will accept the pay increase, he wrote in a news statement.
"I plan to accept the pay increase and work hard for every dime," Sheridan wrote.
He thinks the decision is a personal one for legislators.
The Assembly will keep looking for ways to streamline the operating costs of the legislative process, Sheridan wrote.
He cited the fact that per diem allowances have been frozen since the 2001 budget cycle and will remain frozen in the 2009-10 cycle.
Legislators' salaries have increased 1.9 percent annually for 10 years, keeping their wages below the base pay of other full-time legislators, Sheridan wrote.
How quick he forgets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 13, 2009 at 7:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
When I'm 72 years old I hope to have $5,583.43 to spend on a beauty school graduate with a name like Tifanie White. I also like American Idol. I surf YouTube for people making their own music videos. One of my favorites is Julia Nunes. She plays the ukulele.
http://www.youtube.com/user/jaaaaaaa
Mar 12, 2009 at 9 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sheridan certainly does live in his district. There may be some confusion in that he moved to his current residence just before being elected to the 44th Assembly District. Prior to that he lived in a part of Janesville that was in the 45th Assembly District. The definition of living in the district is subject to some interpretation. Republican John Gard who was a former Speaker of the State Assembly represented the 89th AD and listed his residence as Peshtigo in Marinette County. However he went home every night to his house in Sun Prairie (Dane County), which is where his wife and kids lived. Go figure!
Mar 12, 2009 at 8:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
The legislative pay increases for this legislative term 2009-10, were set last year when the State Assembly was under control of the Republicans. Sheridan wasn't even in a leadership position then. The basic idea is that pay for the legislators is set before the elections and fixed for that term. That way they can't run for election and then raise their own pay until after the next election.
Mar 12, 2009 at 8:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
A legislative pay freeze is a good start. Perhaps a 20% pay cut would be more in line with keeping with the current economy (I'm not kidding).
Mar 12, 2009 at 6:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Someone told me once that Rep. Sheridan doesn't even live within his district? Shouldnt he have to??
Mar 12, 2009 at 5:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Seems to me Mike Sheridan is two-faced.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.