Lawmaker Job Has Lousy Pay, but Great Benefits
Texas legislators get paid less than the people who sack your groceries, which, when you think about it, seems perfectly rational. But lawmakers’ bennies are sweet, starting with guaranteed pensions after eight years on the job.
That doesn’t sit well with everyone, including a couple of this year’s candidates for the Legislature, who think the benefits — if they continue at all — should be cut off if lawmakers break the law.
Jim Pruitt, a former criminal judge in Dallas County who is running for an open House seat in North Texas, wants lawmakers convicted of felonies to forfeit their ...
Comments (8)
Kenneth Franks
I don't have a problem with pensions for those who serve honorably however I am for term limits with none of them serving more than 10 years in the legislature. This would solve two problems at once. It would save us from excessive pensions payments to certain individuals and give us a more of a citizen legislature. Some of them have been in safe seats for so long they feel entitled to the job for life. They could still move up to the Texas State Senate or statewide elected office but we need a little turnover, no, a lot of turnover in the current legislature. It's election year folks so we can do something about it NOW. starting with early voting before the May 29th primary maybe you should give the challenger in your district a look. Then there is the General Election to give you another chance to decide between two or more candidates. http://kennethdfranks.blogspot.com/ Red Dirt & Sand blog
BiffTannen
Why should they get a pension? Texas has been at the forefront of destroying workers' rights. These fine legislators shouldn't get government handouts.
DAVID TAYLOR
I am opposed to someone getting a pension for the work they have done. If they did the work, then they are entitle to the pension. Yes some people make mistakes but that doesn't mean they should lose their pension. If we applied this law to everyone, then there would be a lot of people left without a pension. Based on the number of days that they work every two years their pension should be based upon the state teacher salary scale or about $50,000 a year. The governor and legislature continues to create laws that benefit them, then turn around and cut $5 billion dollars from education funding, good stuff. Way to to littl ricky perry!
gypsy314 ne
No more pensions offer 401k like everyone else we do not need career officials in office I think term limits is a must. Almost every state in all areas of the states from state level and down the ladder to city's are in trouble with pensions promises. We as a country MUST stop all pensions NOW.
Obama and democrats must go!
Jeff Funkhouser
These pensions are ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! Given these same legislators actively complain, campaign against, and have legislated to lower educator pensions it's the height of hypocrisy. After 30 years service a teacher today with 5 yr salary average of $60,000 would earn a pension of $41,600 per year for life (69% of $60,000). A legislator would get $86,250 per year for life. That educator would have worked a minimum of 5,670 contract days (@189 day/yr) while the same legislator would only have served in Austin about 1,200 days (@4 dy/wk*20wk/session *1 session/2 yr*30yr).
Let's see ... that's $7.34 per day worked per year for the teacher and $71.88 per day per year for the legislator. And who's impacted more lives positively??? Given that I've seen very little positive come out of Austin lately, it's gotta be the teacher!
Then, ADD to that the ability to DOUBLE-retire as our current Gubner can/will do and you've doubled down on your hypocratic oathmaking. F-em!
Another 99%
Folks what is even more amazing, is that Texans continue to VOTE, for the same garbage, over and over again. Texans vote for shallow promises, how conservative someone is ( really dumb), and ignore the very state of condition, and direction of Texas future.
Maybe Voters need to lookk up the actual definition, of “Conservative”, in the dictionary.
Janna McB
Serving in the State Senate is a privilege, it's not meant to be a full time job or a career. If they want a pension, they should get a real job and work for it, just like everyone else.
Patricia Budak
Ross, did the 82nd Legislature raise the salary of district judges? After gutting public education and other state services, did they increase their pension income in 2011?