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State lawmakers to give up one day’s pay a month

5:41 pm July 15, 2009, by jgalloway

Speaker Glenn Richardson just announced that salaries of members of the state House will be docked one day’s pay a month at least through the rest of the year.

A spokesman for Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who heads the Senate, said members of his chamber will be subjected to a similar pay cut. More details from Cagle’s office are to come later.

“As a result of the tough economic times and declining state revenues, we have made tremendous cuts in state spending,” Richardson said in a press release issued late Wednesday. “I believe there is an obligation for us, as leaders of this state, to not only control spending, but to carry a part of the financial burden that we are asking of other state employees.”

Pay for state lawmakers averages about $17,000, according to Richardson spokesman Marshall Guest. For now, support staff for the two legislative chambers won’t be affected.

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15 comments Add your comment

JezuzGotNailed!

July 15th, 2009
7:50 pm

Got a better idea. How about NO PAY at all! They haven’t earned what they’ve been paid, so taking a free day a month means nothing. Our politicians today are the most useless, worthless excuses for human beings that I pray to God I’m not here for the next revolution. But, I hope it is bloody.

Legislators to take pay cut. — Peach Pundit

July 15th, 2009
8:16 pm

[...] Speaker and the Lt. Governor announced the cuts: Speaker Glenn Richardson just announced that salaries of members of the state House will be docked [...]

catlady

July 15th, 2009
8:26 pm

How about they give up some of their “earned” time for their retirement pay? Is it true that they get a year’s credit for their few months’ work?

MadDog

July 15th, 2009
8:45 pm

These overpaid crooks should give up their pay and pay money back to the state. They’ve done nothing to earn any salary.

Put up or Shut up

July 15th, 2009
9:02 pm

Next April pay your $400 and run.Time for you geniuses put up or shut up!

Martha

July 15th, 2009
9:23 pm

Rave on Brother!!!! You are absolutely right. Don’t forget all the perks they get, too. What about the Governor and Lt. Governor? Are they giving up anything?

C'mon guys

July 15th, 2009
9:34 pm

So let’s see here, the average legislator makes 17,000 a year. Let’s divide that by the number of months in the year which gives us $1416.68 a month. Divide by the number of days in a month, lets just call it at 30 for simplicity, which means the average legislator loses $ 47.22 a month. Geez guys if that is what you call sharing the burden, I would hate to see what real sacrifice looks to you.

david

July 15th, 2009
9:39 pm

They will get monies from other sources. (lobbyist for one)IF the people of Georgia re elect any city,county,or state policians we are domed for years and years to come.We do lose sonny by default,but the others need to go! ( Martha they do not give up any thing)

Road Scholar

July 15th, 2009
10:21 pm

No pay until they address transportation funding, education, and water conservation/reservoirs.

Thomas

July 15th, 2009
10:58 pm

This is a great PR stunt by the GA legislature. They only work 40 days a year. That’s about $53 an hour (assuming these pretend-to-work morons pretend to work 8 hour days during the session). Someone needs to inquire about Richardson’s fancy new desk and about legislators using state staff to run their various businesses. That’s where the real money savings are.

Eric

July 15th, 2009
11:09 pm

Thomas: You’re a genius, but do you really think we’re attracting the “best and brightest” at $53 an hour. Everyone needs to remember you get what you pay for.

Fact Checker

July 16th, 2009
12:00 am

I will give them SOME credit for giving some of their salary back. However when a Special Session is called to cover the major lack of tax revenues in the coffers we will pay each per diem and travel expenses. Ladies and Gentlemen, as hard as it is to say: It is time to see many many persons go OFF the payrolls of the Government. We do not NEED them and the burden to the real tax payers of Georgia will soon be felt at every level of income. And now we have these DO NOTHING Washington Politicians are forcing this Cap and Trade, Nationalized Healthcare Program and “added value” tax burden to the small businessman and companies. Who is going to hire people when the cost of doing business just tripled in funds that are required to be sent to the Waste Minded folks in D.C. Private companies as well as Government must dump the most expensive item on their books..employees. SORRY Folks it had to be said… The next time some persons says to you GIVE OBAMA, PEOLOSI AND REID TIME..just remember time becomes Interest and Interest is money..money that no one has and printing money by the truck load devalues what you have in your purse,wallet or property.

Turd Ferguson

July 16th, 2009
7:37 am

Many of the State employees are worthless idiots and should have never been hired. Now they should be FIRED!!!

RE: Legislators To Take Pay Cut — Peach Pundit

July 16th, 2009
10:32 am

[...] Journal-Constitution political insider Jim Galloway reported that a spokesperson for Lt. Governor Casey Cagle signaled the state Senate would follow [...]

Base

July 16th, 2009
2:35 pm

About time the legislature steps up to the situation.What took so long.