Most Minnesota lawmakers still accepting paychecks during government shutdown

[struggle4progress]

By: Ryan Johnson, Grand Forks Herald

As Minnesota’s government shutdown entered its 12th day today, most legislators were still collecting paychecks — despite an ongoing budget impasse that has furloughed more than 20,000 state workers, halted road construction and affected people and programs across the state.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and 62 of the 200 state lawmakers declined to accept their paychecks during the shutdown. Dayton is paid $120,303 annually, while a legislator’s year-round pay adds up to $31,140.

Still, nearly 70 percent of legislators are accepting pay this month, including about 72 percent of Republicans and 65 percent of Democrats ...

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/209573/

[Ragnarok]

1. The pay thing...

...doesn't frost me as much as both sides deciding to take field trips around the State this week to complain about the other side being psychos. What a bunch of kids! Lock them all in a room, sequestered like a jury, until they learn to play nice. Geez!

[Raschel]

5. The pay thing and the traveling around are both outrageous to me.

They should lose pay before anybody. That would get them to come to an agreement quicker, I guarantee it.

And traveling around - now?!! I hope they all get tomatoes thrown at them.

[dflprincess]

2. Legislators in MInnesota also make a big amount of money on their per diem payments

These make sense for those who aren't able to commute to the capital when they're in session, but metro area lawmakers also make out like bandits with per diem. This includes my Repuke State Senator who has, at most, a half hour commute to the capital. He claimed the maximum per diem (just over $12,000) he could. He even claimed it for Easter Sunday - which is amusing as he is a self-proclaimed minister with fundie beliefs.

[postulater]

3. Who is writing the checks? nt

[Bosso 63]

4. I'm not losing sleep over it.

The fact that the republicans are fucking up my State is what pisses me off.