State Sen. Jim Barnett announced this morning that he would introduce legislation to freeze the rate at which legislators are reimbursed.
The legislation would end the state’s automatic increases that parallel federal rates and increases.
“No one in Kansas has an escalator in their pay,” Barnett said in a news release. “Our state is facing a severe budget shortfall and everyone must do their part.”
The Emporia senator cited the state’s unprecedented budget shortfall, a need to scrutinize “every dime that is spent by the state,” and a concern that legislators should not force others to shoulder the entire burden.
“The priority of Kansas taxpayers is not taking care of politicians,” he said. “I’m more concerned about Kansans than I am about the bottom line of politicians.”
Among the measures included in the draft of the bill provided today by Barnett are:
• $88.66 pay per calendar day for regular or special session, unless the pay rates of the state’s classified workers are increased; then the legislators’ daily pay would be increased by the average percentage increase of the state’s “step” categories.
• $116 — a $7 increase — in subsistence allowance for any regular or special session of the legislature, except that beginning July 1, 2012, “if the amounts allowable for the capital city of Kansas under applicable federal law and regulations to employees of the executive branch of the federal government for per diem expenses, while away from home but serving in the United States, are amounts which total greater than $116, then each member of the legislature shall receive such greater total amount per calendar day ...”
• $354.15 allowance for each of the 20 two-week periods that coincide with the 20 biweekly payroll periods that immediately precede the first day of each regular session of the legislature, to defray expenses incurred between session for postage, telephone, office and incidental expenses.
The exception to the allowance provision again would be linked to increases in the pay plan for the state’s classified workers; legislators’ allowance increases would be based on the average percentage of increases of all steps in the classified pay plan.
The bill is expected to be assigned a number and a committee in January, when senators and representatives will return to Topeka for the new legislative session.
• Mileage allowances, based on state law, would be paid according to the number of miles “traveled by the usual route in going to and returning from the member’s place of residence for any regular or special session of the legislature.”
Mileage allowance would be in an amount not to exceed the equivalent of one trip for each full week occurring between convening and adjournment sine die in regular or special session.
“The mileage allowance provided under the provisions of this subsection ... shall only be allowed for trips actually made.” Compensation and subsistence allowance would not be allowed during any period in which the legislature is adjourned for more than two days, except Sundays.
Comments
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shadou (anonymous) says...
How about just having the legislators use computers from their homes rather than even bother to have sessions in Topeka? The technology exists and is much cheaper than the present system. Plus, it would make it a lot more difficult for lobbyists to operate.
The same should apply to the federal legislatures.
December 15, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HornetsNest (anonymous) says...
I'm glad to see a legislator getting in front of this issue. The last thing Topeka needs is a pay increase. Conservative fiscal responsibility will fix this economy, not Washington's belief that we can spend our way out of a recession.
December 15, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
this is good
December 15, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Great Idea Jim !
Especially now that you THINK you won't be around Topeka to collect that check. You are running for what office again?
Sounds like a campaign ploy to me, but then , I am pretty negative when it comes to politicians with "new" ideas.
December 15, 2009 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
If it stops their pay raises in these times when most of our pay raises have stopped or our pay has stopped all together, I'm happy about it.
"this is good" Seriously R. Folks
Reggie
December 15, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well as usual you are correct, "this is good!"
But why not last session, before he announced his run for Congress?
Next thing you know he'll be driving his new pickup to work wearing a red flannel shirt and Wranglers.
December 15, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Now that was funny right there!
December 15, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
HO,HO,HO,HO, tis the season to be Jolly, and Jim Barnett and Steve Corbin, just made my season a bit " Jollier " !
Good one Steve and Jim Barnett is really funny, he should be a stand-up-comedian on t.v., instead of in congress !
December 15, 2009 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eiggohp (anonymous) says...
GOOD FOR YOU, JIM BARNETT!!!
It is about time that someone in Topeka wakes up and thinks about the "little people" in KS who are working their butts off trying to make a living!
December 15, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I know that some of us are not fans of Barnett because of the whole smoking ban thingy and other stuff but if something good comes out of this that is ............... good. My philosophy in life is, you take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life, the facts of life.
True story.
Reggie
December 15, 2009 at 11:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I agree with Steve......why now. I'm opposed to Jim Barnett for so many reasons I couldn't begin to list them here without going over the word limit. But a lot of the reason we are in the shape we are now is because of voting for a politician based on one or two issues. So even if this is good......(and it may well be)....he still will not get my vote.
December 16, 2009 at 4:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
Will Rogers said,"everything is changing. People are taking comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke."
December 16, 2009 at 7:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
Jim is the one that can save the ship--keep making waves.
December 16, 2009 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
eiggohp,
You are correct?
"It is about time that someone in Topeka wakes up and thinks about the "little people" in KS who are working their butts off trying to make a living!"
Just think of the doctor as the "good witch Glenda" watching OVER all of us little Munchkins.
If you really think the Doctor gives a tinkers you know what about the little guy you are living in OZ.
Everything he has done since running for public office has had 1 objective in mind. Higher office.
Anyone remember the CASKET IN THE CAPITAL?
December 16, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
We need a 28th Amendment--"Congress shall make no laws that apply to all citizens of the U.S. that do not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and Congress shall make no laws that apply to the Senators and Representatives that do not apply equally to all citizens of the United States.
December 16, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
biscuit and Steve
Don't get me wrong, I won't be voting for him as he belongs to one of the two problem not solution parties but if some good comes from this that will be good and good is not bad.
Reggie
December 16, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefootin (anonymous) says...
i remember the casket-- to extreme!
December 16, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
Maybe not, go to fema coffins
December 16, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
The Federal Government debt will soon surpass the entire U.S. gross domestic product which totals 14.5 trillion. Never before has this country seen such irresponsibilty. Jim please save the ship--were about to sink. Go after the BELTWAY BANDITS.
December 16, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
Jim, my wish is that you will be a future JFK and not waste U.S. resources and respect other nations' sovereignty, refusing to topple foreign leaders and back our money with silver like JFK did 5 months before his demise.
December 16, 2009 at 7:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
My how time changes the way some politicians think. Less than 2 years ago
From vote smart Kansas voting records:
Our senator Barnett voted YES!
SB 385, as amended, would implement the Governors FY 2008 state employee pay plan...
Highlights:
- Increases the salaries of state employees 1.5 to 4 percent (sec 1).
- Awards longevity bonuses of $50 per year (up to $1,250) to employees who have worked for the state ten years or more [sec 1(c)(1)].
- Increases legislative allowances by the average pay increase for state employees [sec. 8(f)].
- Increases the bi-weekly allowances of legislative leaders (sec. 9):
- $537.13 for the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate
- $447.14 for the Speaker Pro Tempore and the Vice President of the Senate
- $131.94 for certain committee chairpersons
- $484.58 for the Majority and Minority leaders
- Increases the governor's bi-weekly pay to $4,235.58 (sec. 10).
December 17, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
In publishing this campaign line for Dr. Barnett, shouldn't the Gazette Staff have checked on his past VOTING record? Or at least asked him about this? I very well could be wrong, but that is why I count on the newspaper to keep me informed, they have so many more resources than I.
December 17, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Like you said early on Steve......the difference is now the good doctor won't be around to reap the benies. As to the Gazette....It has been in the tank for Barnett since day one. Just think how nice it would be if the hometown paper's puppet master could hit the big time.
December 17, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
We can hope he will be around, being a doctor !
I can't think of anything much worse for Kansas then having Barnett in Washington and Brownback back in Topeka.
December 17, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
this is good
December 17, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
"I can't think of anything much worse for Kansas then having Barnett in Washington and Brownback back in Topeka."
Same here!
December 17, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I'm all for politicians limiting their own pay but now that they are talking about actually doing it I don't like the idea. I think if I ever got something I wanted I would complain about it till the cows come home and then I'd complain about all the cows in my house.
Reggie
December 17, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The key words in your above post is "talking about it".
Remember the story about the little kid who wanted a pony for Christmas?
Hounded everyone for a pony till they were sick and tired of him.
Christmas day he is opening his presents, (which were filled with horse droppings by his exasperated parents.) Beaming with joy he exclaimed "I know there is a pony around here because of all this horse sh_t!"
So PLEASE excuse me when I complain about the compensation of some public servants and 1 of them, (Who is now running for higher office), proposes a bill to limit compensation.
Especially when the guy voted less than 2 years ago to increase them.
I can smell horse sh_t even when it's wrapped up all nice and purdy.
December 17, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
And you don't have to be a veterinarian to deliver it either Steve.
December 17, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
You understand my need to plead!
December 17, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
or perhaps my itch to b--ch?
December 17, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Well Steve......you certainly picked a good topic to itch about in the good doctor!
December 17, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
ANYONE NOTICE how good that new photographer at the Gazette is?
Some really great pictures DUDE!
December 17, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I have noticed. As one who briefly did photography as a hobby a number of years ago, I have been very impressed with his work.
December 18, 2009 at 3:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Did anyone notice that in the This Week on www.emporiagazette.com feature in Saturdays paper.....not one comment critical of Barnett was included. Way to be fair and balanced guys.
December 19, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )