8 repig state senators received more in expense checks than minimum wagers

[sybylla]

earn all year.

I just saw this on the web and thought it might be useful in the upcoming campaign cycle.

From Greater Wisconsin Committee's press release
http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/May05/May4/0504greaterwisminiwage.PDF

FOR RELEASE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 4
CONTACT: Michelle McGrorty 608/279-5199
Senators get more in expenses than
minimum wage earners make in a year

Eight Republican state senators who voted Tuesday against acting to raise the minimum wage received more in tax-free expense checks last year than a minimum wage worker earns working full-time for a year.

“I think it’s safe to say those senators don’t feel the pain of minimum wage workers,” said Michelle McGrorty, executive director of the Greater Wisconsin Committee, an issue advocacy group supporting a raise in the rate.

“It’s hard to imagine what it’s like to try to live on a minimum wage salary when you are receiving more than that in mileage and expense checks, on top of a $45,569 salary,” McGrorty said. “Someone working 40 hours a week, all year, for the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour will earn $10,712 a year.”

The Greater Wisconsin Committee requested, under the state’s open records law, a list of travel expenses paid to senators last year, in addition to the $88 in tax-free “per diem” they receive to cover expenses for every day they are in Madison.

Those who have voted against the bill, and who received more in per diem and travel expenses in 2004 than the annual $10,712 salary of a minimum wage worker are:

Ron Brown,(R- Eau Claire), $20,313.
Michael Ellis, (R-Neenah), $14,162
Scott Fitzgerald, (R-Juneau), $14,387
Neal Kedzie, (R-Elkhorn), $16,386
Alan Lasee, (R-DePere), $12,339
Joe Leibham, (R-Sheboygan), $10,911
Carol Roessler, (R-Oshkosh), $12,851
Dave Zien, (R-Eau Claire), $27,986

Ted Kanavas, (R-Brookfield), came up just short of the threshold at $10,022.

All Republican state senators voted Tuesday against taking up a bill to raise the state’s minimum wage to $6.50 in two steps. They all had voted before to send it to a Senate committee chaired by State Sen. Tom Reynolds, West Allis, who opposes the bill and has said he will not even hold a hearing on it. An attempt by Democrats to bring the
bill to the floor for action failed Tuesday on a straight party-line vote.

“This is an issue of fairness,” McGrorty said. “Someone who gives a fair day’s work is entitled to receive a fair day’s pay. But that’s not happening at $5.15 an hour.”

The raise was proposed by an advisory committee which included business, labor, industry, and legislative members, and is supported by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), Wisconsin Merchants Federation, and other business groups.

Statewide polls have shown overwhelming support for the raise from all
segments of the population, and in both political parties.

The Greater Wisconsin Committee and other groups have been conducting a campaign to win passage the bill raising the wage, including radio commercials and telephone calls to urge citizens to contact their legislators.

There are details on the perdiem/expense reimbursements included at the end of the press release.

What I don't understand is why this crap doesn't piss off more voters. How on earth do people like Zien and Brown and Fitzgerald get re-elected?

[RevCheesehead]

1. So can we count on them to donate those checks to the poor?

Let them put their loud-ass money where their loud-assed mouths are, and friggin' DO SOMETHING TO HELP!!!

I hate repukes. :puke::puke:

[gizmo1979]

2. Leibham is in there

what a jerk.He's another guy who has me on the ignore list.Doesn't really care for me.

[ewagner]

3. Dave Zein

is at the top of the list.....

in his next campaign, he should be forced to explain why $27,000 plus in travel expenses is justified......Did he charge the state for travel expenses when he went into other districts to campaign for other repubs? Did he charge the state for speaking engagements/fundraisers at Repub activities?


Make him explain this stuff....

[sybylla]

4. Agreed - You can bet I'm keeping track of this stuff

Zien is up in 2006 and I'm hoping we have a candidate soon.

on edit: There is a rumor he won't run again and Scott Suder wants this seat. If we're lucky, perhaps we can get rid of two repugs with one election.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Just to rub salt into the wound, Zenator Zien

runs around on that stupid motorcycle & charges mileage at the car rate. He also was slweeping in his office in the Capital & charging the full per diem.

I think he drinks at the Hallie Moose Club bar a lot & dirves his motorcycle around afterwards. Somebody oughtta bust his ass for a few DUIs.

I also know some things about his family life that I can't share publicly because I got the information under circumstances in which confidentiality would apply.

[ewagner]

6. I wonder if

it's legal to follow him around with a video camera.....??????

[sybylla]

7. That's a thought. He's not real bright.

He might not notice after tipping a few. Of course you'd probably have to spend a week or two in Mad City to get the footage you need.

Maybe there's a Madtowner or two looking for something to do a couple of nights a week.