Pay Raises for Politicians??????

A lawsuit filed last week in Pulaski circuit court alleges that the practice of allowing our legislators to be reimbursed for expenses without providing receipts or documentation of the expense, is unconstitutional. While the lawsuit names two politicians, neither from Region 8, the practice is considered rather common. The non profit group that filed the suit says their reason for filing is “not to deprive legislators of income but to require the state to obey the constitution and pay them straightforwardly”. There are two steps that should be made to address this issue. The first-all government officials should provide receipts for all expenses. That would seem to be the most straightforward solution.  The second step however is more precarious. We seriously need to consider raising the pay of state legislators. Typically, we would never support giving a politician a raise. However, in this instance, it bears discussion. You see, our state legislators represent you and me for a little more than $15,000 a year. It’s a little more than you would make if you worked a full time job at minimum wage. A salary that small attracts a lot of folks that don’t need it in the first place. We can do better. Increasing the salary for the position should attract a broader range of candidates that better represent our state and doing so will make this a Better Region 8.

Comments

[Jesse Lyles]

Welfare fraud in running rapid around the N-East corner of Arkansas area,can you report that? Pills are sold on every corner,tax payers money.Then the work been done,getting paid cash.Please run them stories.Will any-body do their job? I've mention this more than once. This would make a better region eight.

[Jesse Lyles]

The hundren-thousand plus jobs you reported,half about 50 thousand where laid-off from verison.So they where already jobs that got call back.Maybe you guys should watch foxnews.We now how to cook muffins.