With state and certain private workers laid off as a result of Minnesota’s government shutdown, should lawmakers accept their pay?
Differing perspectives on that question were offered by area lawmakers Thursday as the shutdown entered its second week.
City Pages, a Twin Cities publication, printed a list of state legislators who have not accepted their paychecks during the shutdown. Among area lawmakers who declined their paychecks this month were Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, and Sen. John Carlson, R-Bemidji. Continuing to receive their monthly checks were Sen. Paul Gazelka, R-Brainerd, Rep. Mike LeMieur R-Little Falls, and Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker.
Ward and Carlson said the state employee layoffs were instrumental in their decision to forego the money. Ward said the layoffs would have a huge financial impact on families and he felt he shouldn’t receive his paycheck.
“I’m still working and I will continue to work every day to try to come up with a solution,” he said. “Even though I’m working I still believe it’s important that we also share some of the hardship.
Ward also said he was the only state legislator in the Brainerd Baxter Fourth of July parade, in full view of supporters and critics.
“When I’m in the district I’m not going to be hiding,” he said.
Carlson, the District 4 senator, said he declined his paycheck because of the state and private employees whose employment has ended because of the shutdown.
“It’s more out of respect for our state employees ... that really, through no fault of their own, are out of work,” he said. “There’s a lot more at stake than state employees.”
Gazelka is accepting his check, noting that the approximate $31,000 annual salary is split up and paid monthly even though the legislative session typically runs January through May. He said he would not accept any per diem payments that result from a special session. He said that at the outset of the legislative session the Senate cut per diem payments by 10 percent.
Howes said he’s still working full time as chair of the Capital Investment Committee. He’s planning trips for the fall for his committee, working with this session’s proposed bonding bill and answering constituent mail.
He would feel different, he said, if he were off on an Alaska cruise. Howes also said he’s not a retiree with a decent pension.
“As long as I’m still working ... I think I’m still earning it.”
LeMieur said he’s continuing to do constituent work and is traveling to St. Paul on legislative business.
“I know the Republicans passed a balanced budget and got our jobs done and we’re continuing to work today,” he said. “We’re not taking any per diem or anything extra.”
MIKE O’ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
Comments (23)
Add commentGazelka said he would not take shutdown pay
5-23-11 Area lawmakers expect special session. Check it out.
Brainerd Dispatch story.
Ward also said he was the only state legislator in the Brainerd Baxter Fourth of July parade, in full view of supporters and critics.
link
http://brainerddispatch.com/news/2011-05-23/area-lawmakers-expect-specia...
Good for John
but do you think his time might have been better spent working on a solution rather than self promotion ? It's funny how those who create a mess, will find a way to get out of cleaning up the mess, while blaming others for the mess.
Uh...jjWilsen...4th of July is a federal holiday...
Don't fool yourself into thinking those no-show-Republicans-who-are-still-taking-your-money-despite-not-finishing-their-job were down in St. Paul working. The place (and half the state) was closed down. They were likely at the lake sipping mint julips on your dime.
Showing Face
It was shameful for Gazelka to not show face at the parade. To suggest Ward was self-promoting jjWillsen rather than working on a solution is complete nonsense. Firstly, who is he going to work with on a Federal holiday, and are you suggesting those absent were working on a solution?
I say it shows a lot about character to show up and face the music, rather than run and hide.
Also, I had to laugh that Gazelka sent out his entourage in his absence for him, but where was he? How low? If you are not going to show up, then don't sent out your minions to do your dirty work.
Politics aside
This is just another example of why I will support John Ward at any time. He cares and has empathy for all Minnesotans. To say that he is self-promoting is just ridiculous--no one was working on a solution on the 4th of July, but he at least was willing and available to listen to the people. We are fortunate to have a representative who does this job because he truly cares. (And, no, I am not a member of John's political team; I am just a person who wants good, honest, open representation, and John is one of the few people who gives that to us.)
I want to see comments on the pay $ issue
Gazelka SAID he would not take pay if the state shut down, he said this in the Dispatch on May 23rd. Now he is taking pay.
Why are people ducking the main topic here?
Comments????? Sen. Carlson (GOP) and Rep. Ward (DFL) from our region are not. LeMieur is taking pay and HE DID NOT EVEN SHOW UP for the Dam Festival parade in his home city on June 18th.
I see a 'trend' here.
Self-promotion
If you are doing a good job, you don't have to continually
tell everyone that you are a hard worker. If you call walking
or riding in a parade "work" than that explains why he
keeps saying he's working hard. Enough of that...
Why pick on Mr. G. --how do you know what he was doing?
He probably has to spend considerable time working in his
business to keep people employed. Maybe he was sick.etc.
He isn't receiving a pension that is provided by taxpayers.
Mr. "I always work hard" Ward receives a teacher pension that we don't know how much he actually contributed.
As far as our state finance problems go - I say way back when the legislature agreed to all the pay and pensions that
are now sucking us dry.
News article
Here's the link to the story that refers to the story topic and Gazelka backing out on his word.
http://brainerddispatch.com/news/2011-05-23/area-lawmakers-expect-specia...
insurance agents v. teachers? r u kidding?
sadie- that's really whacky saying that teachers are not as important as a business owner but then there's that 'anti-government' sentiment that is being sold to the masses....
we never want to privitize (sell to corporations) public education, state parks, etc. The gap between the rich and the rest of us is growing as it is, equal access to things that are important for us as a country should not be denied. Need I even mention Voter ID and cutting off thousands of eligible voters? = Bad Idea.
John Ward is the best
John Ward is the best Legislator we have in this area and probably in the State. Of course he is at the parade, he is always in his Community finding out what the people are feeling and thinking. He listens and he acts. We are very lucky to have him representing us.
Minor issue distracts from the real leadership failing
Nice of John but in Paul's defense he said he'd not take pay if there was a SPECIAL SESSION called.
To date, there has not been.
Of much more importance is the leading role Paul Gazelka played during the whole session this year, focusing on issues such as bans on gay marriage, bans on stem cell research, further cuts in abortion, and others.
The final straw ought to be the inclusion of some of those provisions in a take-it or leave-it proposal to Dayton in the budget negotiations final hour.
Pay or No Pay?
Some of our state legislators still don't get it. The state is shut down due to a failure of ALL of our state legislators to get the job done that we "Hired" (Elected) them to do which was fix the budget and see to the running of our great state.
With that in mind, failure to get the job done, ALL pay, Per Diem, and Travel pay should immediately be stopped. Not one more penny should leave the state coffers that would go to any of our state legislators and this should include the Governor as well. He has not done his job either. Kudo's to those who have voluntarierly stopped recieving thier pay. Those individuals get it.
Looking in from the outside, it looks like a bunch of kids that have picked up thier toys and have thrown everyone else out of the sandbox. Well, I for one believe it is high time that we, the people, should throw them out of the sandbox and find someone else to put in there to play for us.
That is my opinion like it or not.
mess
The mess we are in was created by our former governor. He did not want to deal with it so passed it along to Dayton. and now this guy wants to run for President on his credentials. what a JOKE!!
In response...
Mr Ward must be blessed to be able to here all comments while in a moving vehicle. Didn't he support or author the bill allowing school districts to levy without public vote for retired educators pensions? Don't forget who held the upper hand down in St.Paul during Arnie the Slasher, Jessie and Tpaws terms. Rumor has it that his parade ride was titled "It's not my fault" and to save his voice was mouthing the same on a pre-recorded tape. :)s
trend here???
Just released...Obama's right hand man stated today "People won't vote based on the nations unemployment rate." You gotta love that eh!
The unemploymant rate rose
The unemploymant rate rose again today (June numbers) to 9.2%. There is talk of another stimulus package.
What did Einstein use as the definition of insanity?
What are you talking about,
What are you talking about, Scary?
No Work, No Pay!
Lawmakers have not completed their job by the Deadline=No Pay or Time off until State Shutdown is Resolved! If you don't go to work, you don't get paid. If you don't do your job, you don't get paid. This should not be treated any different. There should not even be a question if they are going to take it or not. It should be a "no brainer". It just shows everyone how much control they have not only on our lives, but also their own paychecks. Whatever party that you belong to, everyone should be writing to their representatives to COMPROMISE and end this disgraceful, political, and harmful shutdown of our State that is further crippling and economically hurting the people of our State. They should all be called back to a Special Session, locked in a room, and not allowed out until this Shutdown is Over! How much again is the State itself losing per day by being shut down? The State run Casinos also sounds like a great idea. At least this will also raise state taxes for the state to help solve the deficit. Fair & Equitable taxes should be on the table!
What did Einstein use as the definition of insanity?
Answer: The 3 times disproven "Trickle Down Theory" that creates deficits without creating enough jobs to pay for the wealth redistribution.
Poor excuse
Howes also said he’s not a retiree with a decent pension.
This was a shot at Ward I'm sure. So does he think that all of the State workers who have been laid off have a nice pension they are receiving too? That is a flimsy excuse that says he thinks it is OK to lay off workers as long as he isn't affected.
If he were a corporate CEO, he would probably roll back pay, hours and benefits for his employees while giving himself a nice fat bonus check.
Larry Howes
Larry Howes: Manager of a summer camp before being elected to MN House in 1998. No education past high school. This may be his only job. He is 64.
John Ward, Master's Degree plus 23 plus years in education, age 60.
My trust is in the one who has worked hard for his constituents and the students of Minnesota and that would be John. I can't even recall anything notable that Howes has done.