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July 3, 2012
Doing More With Less
I would expect that constituents on both sides of the aisle to be asking members of the General Assembly if they will be taking the same cuts* as eight of them have been reported to be doing. Today's Providence Journal reports that eight members of the General Assembly, six in the Senate and two in the House will decline their state constitution-mandated raises.
As of Monday afternoon, six senators — all of them Republicans — and two House members had notified the Joint Committee on Legislative Services, a panel of House and Senate leaders that oversees General Assembly business matters, that they do not want the additional pay. The list includes Senators Dennis L. Algiere, R-Westerly; Dawson T. Hodgson, R-North Kingstown; Nicholas D. Kettle, R-Coventry; Francis T. Ma-her, R-Exeter; Christopher Ottiano, R-Portsmouth; and Glenford J. Shibley, R-Coventry; and Representatives Doreen M. Costa, R-North Kingstown, and James N. McLaughlin, D-Cumberland, said House spokesman Larry Berman.Granted, the amount is relatively small (increasing from $14,185.96 to $14,639.90) so the move is partly symbolic, but I think that when members of the Assembly do something positive, we should write about that as well, and not just let the "blogosphere" (gotta love made up words) be negative all the time.
So at this time when our politicians are ok with nickel and diming us all over the state every year, here's one time when we can post something good about nickel and diming in the other direction.
But you didn't think I could end this with all kittens and roses right? Keep in mind that this is 8 out of 113. We still have 105 who will either accept the raise or simply haven't decided yet.
*The use of "cuts" is tongue in cheek as a cut is usually indicative of spending less. Here is the usage where we call it a cut only because we're spending less than was budgeted for in the future, but there's still not any real savings. Many times when our local politicians tell us about "cuts" and "savings", this is the usage they really mean. Marc has posted about this a number of times.
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I don't know if I trust someone who refused to take even a small pay increase. For those of us who are struggling to keep up with energy costs and medical costs and everyday living costs this strikes me as a pointless jest.
Posted by: Phil at July 4, 2012 8:18 PMWorse is that these are the same types that tell us that ordinary people should keep more of their money and that Govmint should should not take it and spend it on Govmint programs. So how does their refusal to receive the Govmint money square with that kind of thinking? I hope those of you who are hopelessly tied to correct spelling will allow me this Independence Day departure from those forms.
No, 'pointless jest' is your entire comment. More importantly, how does the remainder of the GA taking raises in this economy square with the taxpayer/voter? After all, don't they represent the poor, unemployed, and underemployed? Only you, your left wing moonbats, and Sammy the troll could twist this positive 'gesture', as small as it may be, into a negative. But that's how you and Sammy and friends roll.
Posted by: Max D. at July 5, 2012 11:59 AM