newsobserver.com projects - Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically - Comments

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:28:14 -0500

Comment deleted for offensiveness.

— RTB

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

atticus2008 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:10:31 -0500

It appears to be true that most NC legislators are well off resulting in a very small pool of candidates from which to choose. IMO, we definitely need to pay legislators more, change our legislature to full-time status. Senator Kinnairds's proposal is somewhat reasonable; however, her timing is lousy and her rhetoric may not be totally transparent regarding what some legislators are paid. It has always amazed me that overseeing the biggest business in a state of nine million citizens is conducted as a part-time job. We always hear about "the balance of power". If the Executive Branch and Judicial Branch are full-time shouldn't the Legislative Branch be full-time? Look at the link I've inserted about how NC ranks in the country.
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=179978

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:44:00 -0500

Comment deleted for general tackiness.

— RTB

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

rangerking1993 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:00:45 -0500

I don't understand how we expect everyone to get involved in politics (or at least have a shot) when the pay for legislators is too low. Either someone has a working spouse who makes enough money or the individual is wealthy to begin with. If someone does not make enough or holding another job to cover costs is not possible (such as teaching) is not democratic as people are excluded from the process.

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

bigdogops — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:09:49 -0500

Hey riverrd, gasoline, milk and beans cost money, too! Legislators should get the same raise they vote in for all State Employees. They stick out their bottom lips and give us the poor talk, speaking of rising costs and inflation. Inflation hits me too, and everyone else who works for the state, and we are way behind the curve in getting raises to keep up with it.

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

PercyKution — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:28:49 -0500

WHAT A CROOK!!!!

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

robdarich — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:18:55 -0500

so, river-baby, you see where people pay 10 times over what a job pays to land a job - as an indicator that they deserve more pay?

Seems you got one thing right: "I use this term with all due respect,...idiots!" since you should respect those who are smarter than you.

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

alaskan1 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:20:41 -0500

We don't need legislators. All we need are robots that automatically raise taxes any time there is a problem. Oh. that 's what we already have.

Self Government Cost, you Knownothings !!

riverrd — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:33:20 -0500

How dumb can most of you people be!! Democracy and Self-government cost! This is no longer a state of a small number of farmers and craftmens as it was when it was formed out of the wilderness! We cannot rely on a few 'Gentleman Farmers' to gather for a few weeks each year to past tariffs and laws against stealing horses, at their own expense. This is the 21st Century with 21st Century problems and needs. Governing this great state is a Full Time Job in need of Full Time Legislators and they need and must be paid as professionals! And it means a larger salary financed by taxes, yes I said TAXES! The acts of our Legislature have a deep and profound effect on our lives and I want the best we can elect to make these laws. Those of you who scream 'NO NEW TAXES' at everything, and I use this term with all due respect, are idiots! You people are just true-believing, Flat-Earth Republicans that cannot understand the world in which you live. If you depend on a doctor or lawyer or teacher, then you want the best you or your family can afford. The same applys for your government. Grow up and become educated on how self-government works!

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

rtoddmitchell — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:11:26 -0500

I'd go for this. Seems somewhat fair anyway.

I doubt any state employees will be getting raises in the next couple of years anyway. They'll be lucky to keep their jobs. So, I doubt legislators would vote for this anyway.

In recent years, State workers have been averaging about 2% raises each year. That ain't much on $13k a year.

When compared to other state spending, this is a non-issue.

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

tangoz — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:06:26 -0500

This is called political cowardice on her part. She doesn't want to be caught on record giving herself a pay raise every year.

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

TheLibertine — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:08:34 -0500

This is obscene and so typical of the elitist neo-marxists! Has she no shame?!?!

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

blackbeetle — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:47:27 -0500

If the law makers get automatic raises so should the state employees that get high performance ratings,by this I mean honest ratings not the ones because somebody knows someone.

Re: Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

Cissie1962 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:26:28 -0500

Oh heck no, I am not going to get a raise this year she shouldn't either, heck no. The nerve of that woman.

Re: Kinnaird Should Leave

elvisd — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:25:53 -0500

Ms Kinnaird, please do us a favor and find a different nest for yourself. I'm sure there are hundreds of people that would love the chance to replace you under the current compensation structure. Not only does she want to avoid the sacrifices the rest of us are making; she wants us to sacrifice more for her benefit.

Kinnaird: Raise pay automatically

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:11:03 -0500

A bill would raise legislative pay and mileage reimbursement rates automatically.

Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, a Carrboro Democrat, said she filed the bill to help pay for state lawmakers keep pace with inflation and increased demands.

When contacted by a reporter, she said she already had visions of editorials and political ads slamming legislators for talking about their own salaries during a bad budget year.

"Somebody is going to say we're feathering our own nest," she said. "Believe me, we don't even have sticks here. It's more like barbed wire."

Under the bill, the annual salary for legislators would increase at the same percentage rate as any across-the-board pay raises for state workers. The mileage reimbursement for legislative travel would also be tied to the federal rate.

Legislators currently make $13,951 and receive a $104 per diem every day they're in session. The mileage rate is currently 29 cents per mile.

In recent years, state workers have gotten raises of a couple percent a year, but they will likely not see any this year or next. The federal mileage rate is currently 55 cents.