On numerous occasions over the past couple of months, I have informed you about the $763 million in new taxes and fees that were approved by the majority of state legislators and Governor Jim Doyle as a part of the 2007-09 state budget. In addition I have explained that I opposed these increases by voting against the budget and expressed my concern that these increased taxes and fees will nickel and dime Wisconsin’s hard working families and seniors into further economic stress.
Many of my legislative colleagues, especially those who voted for the budget, suggest that this is not a legitimate concern, believing that all Wisconsin citizens can afford to pay more in taxes and fees. Now, in an unacceptable move, the legislature has taken action to increase the salary of legislators and other government officials and improve the perks offered to State Senators.
Recently, the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization approved a provision to increase the pay for state legislators and constitutional officers like the Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer and Secretary of State. As a member of this committee, I voted against this salary increase. The new policy was approved however despite my “No” vote and, starting in 2009, members of the State Legislature will receive a pay increase of 6.3 percent to $50,438 per year. In addition, the constitutional officers will receive a 7.4 percent pay increase and the salary of the state Superintendent of Public Instruction will jump by 11.7 percent. The next Governor, after the 2010 election, will earn a new annual salary of $147,313.
I think it is wrong for the Governor and legislators to get a pay raise when we collectively failed to get our budget work done on time and in the end, passed a budget that includes record tax increases and spending and is still not honestly balanced. This type of work does not deserve a congratulatory pay increase.
Then, just last week, the Senate Committee on Organization – the committee responsible for the administration of the State Senate – approved a proposal that will require taxpayers to provide additional reimbursement to State Senators for automobile fuel usage. Again, as a member of the committee, I voted “No”.
The proposal was introduced by the new Senate Democratic Majority Leader, Russ Decker (D-Schofield). Under the new policy, Senators will be permitted to claim “in-district mileage” – the reimbursement received for fuel as a result of Senators’ travels around their districts – while the Senator is campaigning for re-election, so long as it is for travel “directly related to the affairs of state government” and not for “political campaign purposes.” This distinction would be up to the discretion of each individual Senator.
I believe it is simply wrong for the Senate to approve this improved taxpayer-funded benefit while, at the same time, failing over the past year to do anything to reduce our state’s high fuel tax or the cost of fuel. Interestingly, Senator Decker proposed to increase our gas tax by $.05 - .07 cents per gallon as a part of his budget plan.
In addition, the committee also approved a policy allowing Senators to claim per diem – the reimbursement for Senators’ costs incurred while in Madison on legislative business – on the same day they claim the mileage reimbursement. This practice was not previously permitted under Senate Rules. I believe this change is unwarranted and again voted “No”.
Unfortunately, while my colleagues in the State Legislature talk frequently about how they understand the plight of middle class families and what it is like to live paycheck-to-paycheck, many of them are simply disconnected from the realities being faced by taxpayers, workers and business owners back home. This disconnect has become such that, in this time of economic uncertainty, legislators find it acceptable to approve record tax and fee increases and then go and vote themselves increased salary and benefit packages and expect taxpayers to pay for these increases as well.
Passing benefit enhancers for the Governor and legislators sends the wrong message – that politicians in Madison are disconnected from the economic realities being faced each day by our fellow citizens. I believe that these salary and benefit changes are unwarranted and disrespectful to the already overburdened citizens of Wisconsin who are struggling to make ends meet and was proud to vote against them and plan not to accept them as I continue to serve on your behalf.
As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling 888-295-8750, writing to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at Sen.Leibham@legis.wisconsin.gov. You can also log on to the 9th Senate District on-line office at www.leibhamsenate.com.
It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate!