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Question of the day

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* As you already know, the Senate passed a 12-day furlough bill for legislators yesterday. The measure now goes to the governor…

“This is somewhat pandering to an electorate to say we are self-righteous enough to cut when we haven’t been able to cut the overall budget,” said Sen. Tom Johnson, R- West Chicago.

“I just think that this is getting a little ridiculous, and I think that the electorate and I think the press and everybody else knows exactly what we’re doing. … I don’t think it means anything, except it diminishes the work of everybody in this chamber and probably discourages a lot of good people from being able to make the races to come in here.”

The legislation’s sponsor, Sen. Dan Kotowski, D- Park Ridge, said the General Assembly had cut the budget, and this showed lawmakers are willing to share the pain.

“The message that this sends today is that … we’re willing to sacrifice for the second year in a row,” Kotowski said.

Next year will actually be the third year in a row that legislators will take unpaid furlough days. It’ll be the second year in a row that they’ll take 12 days.

* More…

“To me, this is a mockery,” said Collins, D-Chicago, who recently came over from the House. Collins argued that “$65,000 is not a lot to get paid to do a job. Not saying we don’t love this job, because I love representing my community, the poor people who cannot be here to be represented.”

* The Question: Are legislative furloughs appropriate? Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:04 am

Comments

>Are legislative furloughs appropriate? Explain.

Yes. And if they think it is a ‘mockery’, they can find something else to do.

Lots of jobs pay much less for much, much more work.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:07 am
I don’t think you can ask it of everyone else if you’re not willing to take it yourself. It’s called leadership quite honestly. It would appear otherwise that somehow the GA is better than the merit comp workers? Same goes for superintendents, mayors, township supervisors etc.

Comment by Shemp Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:08 am
You can argue about how appropriate it is. All I know for sure this that it’s 12 less days legislators have to wreak additional havoc on the rest of us.

Comment by Springfield Skeptic Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:14 am
@Springfield Skeptic

Is GA actually working 12 fewer days or merely being paid for 12 fewer days?

Comment by Bill White Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:17 am
A $65,000.00 salary is not a lot for a part-time job?! What a great way to stick your foot in your mouth, State Senator Collins!

In some school districts, teachers are not paid as much.

Comment by Esquire Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:18 am
I think a lot of Representative Collins’ constituents would argue about 65K not being a lot to get paid for a job.

Comment by hawksfan Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:19 am
Absolutely good. Legistalors are suppose to show leadership and doing this is a prime example of good leadership.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:20 am
Bill White,
It’s a 4.6 percent pay cut. The language directs the comptroller to cut lawmakers’ pay. Whether or not they work is a personal decision.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:20 am
This is appropriate especially considering they are not doing a good job of solving the state’s financial problems.

Comment by Old Milwaukee Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:21 am
They should be working for free until they fix the mess they have made.

Comment by Dan Shields a Voter Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:22 am
Both sides are right:

1. Those who argue that this is politics and complete and utter symbolism are correct. First of all, how can a senator or rep who makes 65K a year on a part time job (which can be as part time as you want it to be - i understand) argue that furloughs “share the pain”. Try telling that to someone who just had their home healthcare worker walk off the job because of state cuts. Or talk to a working mother who lost her child care. It just isn’t sharing the pain no matter how you sell it.

2. Those who argue that its “the right thing to do” are also correct. Even the proponents will admit that this doesnt really solve anything but whats the alternative? Same pay. Same benefits? Same 65k salary while everyone one of your constituents is either taking pay cuts, is worried about losing their job, or frankly doesnt have one and hasn’t for a while.

Quite simply, furloughs for legislators is NOT “sharing the pain” and it never will be. But its something.

Comment by Lincoln's Penny Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:23 am
In consideration of their quality of work, the leadership they provide, the bills they discuss, the solutions they have delivered, the professionalism and civility they display, not only are furloughs right and fair, they should consider getting any pay a theft from their fellow citizens because we do!

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:23 am
I think their pay is matching their performance at the moment. Want more money? Do a better job. Can’t do a better job? Find a new one.

Comment by Anonny Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:23 am
Heck yes. Nobody like having to make a little less, but I’m sure faced with the alternative they’d sing a different song. Whoever whines in public about it is completely lost on the issue. And hey, really, is $500k+ chump change? It surely can help plug a small hole somewhere funds are really needed.

Comment by PaGo Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:27 am
I like the California plan where the legislatures simply do not get paid if they fail to deliver a balanced budget on time.

Ultimately it is a sign (not an action) of leadership (accountability) to say that since I cannot pay the State’s vendors on time, demand that State workers take furlough days and cannot balance the promises of a pension with funding the promises, I too will share in the financial burden my failures have led to. (In the real world, the company would go belly up and the leadership would be let go)

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:32 am
I think this QOTD begs another possible QOTD we’ve had or discussed. Should being a legislator be a FT job? Do you/we think we could bet better or worse with that rule is place. PT legislators who make their bread and butter on the other side could care less about a pay cut. By having PT legislators, I think Illinois is being short-changed by having many legislators who take this job as a supplement to their “real” job. Disclaimer: Not taking away from the FT legislators who do work hard for their district.

Comment by PaGo Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:35 am
They’re appropriate, but their impact is what matters. Most state employees that have been forced to take furloughs are taking a hit to their primary source of income, while most legislators are part-time, and have other jobs from which they derive income lessening the furlough’s impact.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:36 am
As long as other state workers have to take furlough days, so should the elected officials. That is sharing the burden in a very fair way.

I do not think the $65k is too much to pay a legislator. Many of them are full-time legislators. The assertion that it is a “part-time” job is true only for those in businesses where they can take off from January to May and a few weeks in the fall AND have the flexibility to go to Springfield at any time for extra session days. Sorry, but most people do not work in a job where that is an option.

I often hear & read justifications of high pay for CEOs and Board Members in the private sector that argue you need to pay a lot to get high quality. Yet, some of those same folks complain about high pay for legislators. It is also a rare private sector CEO or Board Member that takes a cut in compensation when they are laying off workers and cutting salaries. In fact, when they make painful cuts to personnel, they often get bonuses and receive higher stock dividends for improving the bottom line.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:38 am
Yep. Maybe this is a way to remind the legislators that they work for the taxpayers, not Mike Madigan.

Comment by lakeview Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:41 am
“$65,000 is not a lot to get paid to do a job…”

Yes it is! Just ask the majority of your consituents.

Comment by Kerfuffle Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:43 am
Vote out State Sen Collins–perhaps that will help her understand how much $65K is worth to her.

Comment by A Different Belle Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:47 am
Yes, it’s appropriate. It may be political pandering, but so are many of the votes legislators cast, and I don’t see them worrying about political pandering on those votes. It may not be a lot of money saved, but at least it might help diminish the perception in many voters’ minds that the politicians think they’re above the rest of us and shouldn’t have to share in the sacrifice.

Comment by KIZ Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:50 am
Sure. In reality it’s a pay cut in tough times. Not earth-shaking, but appropriate.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:51 am
Other than the fact that it’s unconstitutional, it’s perfectly appropriate. I’m waiting for the class action suit to be filed in Madison County before the ink is dry on the Governor’s signature.

Comment by Pat Robertson Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:54 am
Senator Collins needs a reality check…her sense of entitlement is oversized considering the quality of work the legislature is delivering…vote her out indeed…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:56 am
The worker CEO pay gap is 39-1 nowadays and seeing the absurd pay gap between the CPS executives and the teachers and lunch ladies, furlough days that are across the board seem reasonable.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:57 am
I definitely agree that legislators are worth paying decently and drastically reducing pay will deter low-income candidates - especially those for whom this must be a full-time job since their previous position will not be flexible with the legislative session.

But we’re talking $67,000 a year (+ more for serving on committees, which is part of their job)…that’s PLENTY enough. They can handle a 5% (or 10 or 20%) cut and still be in better shape than most of their constituents.

Comment by danny Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:58 am
Yes, if we/they are making all these other state employees take the days, they should do so as well.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 10:59 am
First, this is a part-time gig for most reps and senators. Second, the ILGA takes an inordinate amount of time off during session days. Third, there are plenty of people who would clamor for such a job - especially with the per diem on top of their decent salary.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 11:05 am
It’s not only appropriate, as state workers are forced to take furloughs, it shows compassion for taxpayers whom have to pay more while receiving less in the way of services. To complain about a part-time job that pays $65,000 takes you to the top of the extremely tacky scale. Nice WORK Senator Collins.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 11:08 am
Is mere slight-of-hand and mis-direction.
Or is it sidestep…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJG75FJkjr8

Comment by JustaJoe Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 11:10 am
I think there a lot of people out there who would love to make $65,000 a year for a job. For example, the poor people that Sen. Collins says need to be represented.

Comment by Seriously??? Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 11:13 am
Actually, the vast majority of legislators make more than $65,000 because they get those bogus upgrades for being in leadership or committee chairman or ranking members. It’s a bipartisan scam to squeeze more money out of the public for our so-called public servants. They’re closer to $80,000.

Comment by Jim Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 11:59 am
legislative paycuts are appropriate - they cut budgets by 20% or more so cut their and their staffs pay by 20% or more

Legslative furlough days is a fiction. The legisature generally does not work 9-5 5 days a week. They are not hourly jobs. The pay is earned whether they show up or not. So the sham is the idea that they go into unpaid non service days. They should just cut pay without having the fiction of unpaid days off.

Some members work every day year round, but if they are being truthful many of them show up past 10-11 in the morning, if at all during the work week, leave beofre 4pm, and when not in session have sporadic work hours. This is perfectly fine, they are not hourly employees!

But this idea of a furlough day is a scam. They reduce pay, but give themselves full pension credit. The GA pension system is the worst budget abuser in State government and the furlough day fiction assures that GA pay may go down, there retirmenet is not impacted.

Give them real pay cuts, put them in the same retirmeent system as regualr state workers and lets move the circus along.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:14 pm
Yes…The sad financial state Illinois government finds itself in currently is in no small measure directly the fault of the Illinois legislature. They tapped danced around the budget problems for years and now the music has stopped. They need to give up something, just like everybody else.

Comment by Louis Howe Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:15 pm
Yes, Legislative furlough days are appropriate until Such time as the State has gotten Current on paying overdue bills, We have a truly gimic-free balanced budget, and a fiscally responsible long range plan in place & adhered to that will fully fund All remaining programs & commitments.

Comment by Anon-Partisan Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:22 pm
Although I know it will nevery happen, I think that legislators should earn 10% less than the median salary of the district that they represent. I think the furlough days are more than appropriate, although I think they should match what other State employees are being asked to take.

Comment by The KQ Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:32 pm
Yes. They just aren’t long enough.

Comment by just sayin' Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:38 pm
===I think that legislators should earn 10% less than the median salary of the district that they represent===

Is KQ really Jeff Schoenberg?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:40 pm
I think a pay cut effective with the remap makes more sense.

Do furloughs allow lawmakers to count their full salary toward their pension?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:42 pm
On a side note, while I heartily disagree with Sen. Collins, and in fact view hers and similar attitudes as a large part of the root of the problem that’s gotten us into this very deep fiscal mess over time. I do credit her with Speaking what was truly on her own mind and displaying the “courage” (however misplaced) to go on the record putting her vote where her mind is… That kind of Honesty has been somewhat of a rarity.

Comment by Anon-Partisan Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:50 pm
How much work a legislator does has a lot to do with the district — city/burb vs downstate, safe vs marginal. I remember a colleague telling me how refreshing her break had been (Chicago, where legislators are not the first line of defense), while I had to return to Springfield to get a breather from 12-14 hr days, including the calls at home which routinely went until midnight. We actually sent out post cards to constituents telling them that we took cases in order of presentation, so they wouldn’t feel we had forgotten them while their case moved up the pile — a pile which could could run 2 to 3 feet high. I would have loved furlough days — a legitimate excuse to take a break.

Comment by 6ofone Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 12:52 pm
A mockery? Darlin’ please. Not even close. What’s a mockery is to raise $100K, some portion of which undoubtedly came from “the poor people” you say you represent, and then use a chunk of it to pay fines because you failed to file your for years,. I say until you get a responsible grip on other people’s money, you need to pipe down.

Comment by Indeedy Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 1:12 pm
Yes and it fact it should have been stated that they still had to work on those 12 days.

We are in a mess because of the past actions of the legislature.

It is a shame that their retirement will not be impacted by the reduced pay like most other state employees.

Comment by JustMe Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 1:30 pm
Furloughs? Jeeze Louise, if anyone should be at work it’s the legislature. The members should be hard at work fixing the incredible mess they’ve created over the years.

Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 1:50 pm
No, the furloughs are not appropriate. I believe they are for appearances and political theater.
Politicians/legislators please be adults and close corporate tax loopholes and giveaways (tax big business), and write/pass a constitutional amendment to implement a PROGRESSIVE TAX CODE in IL as other civilized stated in the U.S. have.

There is no theater or amount of cuts that will save the state, it’s only to be done by raising revenue so please do it by taxing those corporations and wealthy Illinoisans that have been profiting so handsomely over the last 40 years.

Comment by chicagoan wanting to move out of IL Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 3:41 pm
==No, the furloughs are not appropriate. I believe they are for appearances and political theater.==

Then why are furloughs good for every merit comp employee in the State but not the GA?

Comment by Shemp Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 4:25 pm
Furloughs are good for no one and are all for appearance.
Have a nice day, I’m offline now.

Comment by chicagoan wanting to move out of IL Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 4:27 pm
Legislative furloughs are the LAST thing we need! It implies that the work they are doing can be postponed or performed by someone else. It’s not like in an agency where others can take up the slack and make decisions in place of someone else. This is crisis mode here in state government and we NEED these legislators here every day. If they want to cut their pay, that’s one thing, but don’t call a pay cut a furlough, it is not the same thing. They should stop trying so hard to look good and focus on trying harder to DO good.

Comment by friend of a friend Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 4:56 pm
–This is crisis mode here in state government and we NEED these legislators here every day.–

Careful what you wish for. What would you have them do every day, particularly now when 3/5 majorities would be required for immediate effective dates?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 5:02 pm
How generous of Senator Kotowski.

How about the Merit Comp employees who have not seen a raise in years and also take furlough days. Where was he when this started.

How big of these guys!

Share the pain…? Are you kidding? Most state employees just scrape by and most, if not all, our legislators have this as a second job, which includes some pretty nice perks.

No, I don’t think they share the pain. I think they are pandering and it is a weak attempt at best. You want to share the pain, do your job without pay until you get the budget mess straight. Then I’ll give you the ’share the pain’ credit.

Comment by Justice Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 5:04 pm
===You want to share the pain, do your job without pay until you get the budget mess straight. ===

Don’t be stupid.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 5:11 pm
Nice! I guess that’s better than “Bite me.” Lol

Comment by Justice Thursday, Jun 23, 11 @ 5:23 pm