1 To Chew On. Our State Legistlators Rank 18th in Pay Nationally.

[crrcboatz]

http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2012-ncsl-legislator-compensation-data.aspx

I went through this information and found only 17 states that pay their legislators better than Oklahoma. We are one of the 10 poorest states and rank 48th in teacher pay. How does this state justify the pay of our legislators? Why is there not conversation about this?

 

[Old Fart]

How many work fewer days?

 

[tRidiot]

That is very interesting... I looked at that chart and it all looked too damn complicated for me to sort out. But when I saw the title, of the thread, before I even clicked on it, I thought, "Hmmmm... and where do we rank in teacher (and LEO) pay?"

 

[crrcboatz]

Yes these guys really bust their ***** for us don't they. They work 4-5 days a wk from late January through May. Then if they attend committee meetings during the remainder of the year they get paid for that plus expenses. Boy the state of Oklahoma is indeed lucky to have such a conservative bunch of rats up there. Take from the poor and go to the bank, oh, and work very little. We are stupid to put up with this.

 

[Old Fart]

We are stupid to put up with this.

Yup that describes us pretty good.

 

[tRidiot]

Yup that describes us pretty good.

"...pretty well."

 

[vvvvvvv]

For what it's worth, the salary has been at the same level since 1998. Until 1988, it was $20K. In 1988, the salary was increased to $32K. In 1998, the salary was increased to $38.4K.

Who is responsible for setting the salaries and benefits? 5 board members (including the chair) appointed by the Governor, 2 appointed by the Speaker of the House, and 2 appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Director of State Finance and Chair of the Oklahoma Tax Commission are also on the board as ex-officio members.

If their salary was tied to inflation, it would be $54.5K today.

 

[LightningCrash]

Somehow this will be Obama's fault. I guarantee it.

 

[NikatKimber]

If Bush was still here, their pay wouldn't be out of line, and we'd all be making 40-50% more every year.

Since Obama was elected, the economy has tanked, and now politicians in OK get paid way too much compared to janitors.

 

[crrcboatz]

Bush was an equal disaster. Other than Teddy Rossivelt my favorite president ever, FDR, and Reagan this country was struck out on every other occasion to elect a decent effective President. Could not agree with you more Nika on the politicians vs the janitors pay.