Why is Our State Legislature so Expensive?

I read this article over the weekend in the Detroit News and I specifically declined to comment on it. I just did not want to get everyone upset on a Monday morning. The problem, is that since I first read the article it has blitzed across the AP Wire and keeps popping up in every paper or website I visit. The main point of the article is that our state legislature is extremely expensive when you look at the number of members versus the annual cost of $100.4 million. 21 states have a larger legislative body than Michigan yet we are No. 6 in the nation as far as cost. Legislators have not increased their pay since 2001-2002 (how kind of them) and their salaries are currently $79,650. In addition to that base pay they also receive $12,000 for meals, lodging, and other expenses because, hey, you can't afford to pay for stuff like that when you only make $79,650 a year.

Our state lawmakers are regarded as a full-time legislature, but the House only met 110 times last year and the Senate met 113. A quick calculation of an average work year for an employee came up with 250 working days in a year. That is 50 weeks (figuring two weeks vacation) times 5 days per week (a lot of folks work more than just 5 days a week) to come up with a ballpark figure of 250 working days per year. Our state legislature works less than half of that and makes full-time money.

Anyone getting angry yet? Just like any good infomercial - wait there's more! Lawmakers say that a lot of work gets done outside of the actual legislative sessions. Well, a lot of time is spent on raising campaign funds anyway. The House and Senate members raised about $5.3 million last year.

So, while the state's economy bumbles along and companies (that want to stay in business) cut costs and employees, our state legislature works part-time at passing legislation for much more than they should be paid. Thank goodness that any future pay raises must be put before the residents of Michigan in a general election. If the legislature is ever stupid enough to put that on the ballot they ought to be ridden out of town on a rail.

Well, that is about all of the politics I can stand this morning. I just want to ask one more question. Does our state government exist to serve the people or do “we the people” serve the government?

The Last Snow

I know that I posted about how spring was “just around the corner” last week and then a bunch of you had ice and snow (over a foot in northern lower Michigan). Well, we haven't had a significant snowfall in southwest Michigan since before Christmas. This morning I awoke to a skiff of snow that was just enough to get our 18 month old excited. So, wouldn't you know it, we were outside playing before 9 o'clock this morning. We threw snowballs at our shed, filled up the bird feeder, and made about a dozen trips around our backyard with me pulling his sled. He was pretty cold with rosy cheeks and nose, but he still did not want to come inside. I bribed him with a chance to watch a video and promises of going out again later.

We just had to get out and enjoy what could be our last bit of significant snow until next winter. I warmed up with a nice steaming mug of cocoa while he drank his milk. It sure was nice to be outside, even if it isn't spring yet. :)

Super Sale on Detroit's Super Bowl Items

If you will be in Detroit anytime soon, you might want to stop by Ford Field for an assortment of Super Bowl XL memorabilia. Banners that hung from street-poles to volunteer jackets and much more will be available for purchase. Until now, the volunteer jackets have not been available except to volunteers and other committee members. Proceeds from the sale are to benefit local Super Bowl-related charities. The sale starts today, Monday (3/6/06) at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. until March 31 or the items are sold out. There are no online sales (which stinks if you don't live near Detroit) and it is cash or credit cards only. Call 313-262-2006 for more information.

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Dam Problems Courtesy of Busy Beavers

Calhoun County has been fighting an expensive battle against the local beaver population. Recent years have seen the number of dams increase and raise water levels to destructive heights. The higher water has swamped over roadways and attempts to tear down the dams are only temporary. After the big equipment and work crews have left, the beavers get together their own work crews and work on repairing their damaged dams. The hope is that the county can manage the natural habitat and maintain their infrastructure. It is comical to me to see people try and "manage" nature and natural habitats. You can't "manage" nature any more than you can "manage" the weather.

This just reminds me of Bill Murray's fight against the gophers in Caddyshack. Good luck, Calhoun County. I think the beavers will build dams if you do, and dams if you don't. ;)