Some state lawmakers calling it quits, can't afford to serve

[cbabe]

Associated Press
Updated: April 16, 2022 1:55 p.m.
FILE - In this April
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — When trying to decide whether to seek a fourth term in the Connecticut House of Representatives, Rep. Joe de la Cruz ran the question by his wife, whom he jokingly refers to as his lawyer and financial adviser.

While Tammy de la Cruz didn't want to discourage her 51-year-old husband from stepping away from the part-time job he has grown to love, she acknowledged it didn't make financial sense for him run again in November.

“The retirement planner in her didn’t even have to use a calculator to do the math,” Joe de la Cruz, a Democrat, told fellow House members when he announced in February that he's not seeking reelection. “The $30,000 a year we make to do this illustrious job, the one that we all really care for, is truly not enough to live on. It’s truly not enough to retire on.”

Lawmakers in other states, often those with part-time “citizen” legislatures, have raised similar complaints. In Oregon, where the base pay is about $33,000 a year, three female state representatives announced in March they are not seeking reelection because they can’t afford to support their families on a part-time salary for what’s really full-time work. They called the situation “unsustainable” in a joint resignation letter. (More)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Some-state-lawmakers-calling-it-quits-can-t-17085162.php

[MagickMuffin]

1. Now the billionaires can buy those seats

I suppose they'll find their Federalists stiffs to run in both parties and the end of democracy.

[2naSalit]

2. +1

[RKP5637]

3. +1, n/t

[KPN]

5. Equals +3 total! nt

[cbabe]

6. Recruit those on fixed income such as

disability, social security, or tribal income. Recipients could be any age. Train them and let them loose.

[Chainfire]

7. No one who needs an income should ever serve in office.

Leave the lawmaking to those who can afford it. We need to accept our stations in life and we would be much happier.

[Autumn]

8. So a lawmaker publicly admits that $30,000 a year is truly not enough to live on

[cbabe]

9. Like the military or teachers on food stamps.

Might help develop empathy.

[GB_RN]

16. It Might Be In Nowhere South Dakota Or The Like...

But definitely not in places like CT, NC, WA, anywhere in CA, NY, FL, etc. Basically, nowhere that there's a major metropolitan area. $30k will barely pay the rent in most places.

[gristy]

10. privatize those seats!

If the gubmint can't afford to pay a living wage, let the free market. /sarcasm/

[madville]

11. Many states are 1/3 of that pay, around 10k/yr

New Mexico pays state legislators $0 in salary, they only get per diem while in session. In most cases it was never meant to be a full-time job.

[yellowdogintexas]

13. and I thought Texas was bad! nt

[yellowdogintexas]

12. The Texas Lege is paid $7500

and are only in session from January through May in odd years

Not enough to live on unless one has excellent retirement income, a spouse with high income or a profession which allows the absence of the member (like attorneys, accountants etc.)

If it paid a bit more, we might get better(more electable) candidates.

[fescuerescue]

14. Just a little above minimum wage

That's ridiculous.

[Deminpenn]

15. We don't have that problem in PA

It's also a part time legislature, but legislators get generous per diem, mileage if they travel in their own car or an allowance for a leased car and a nice pension if they serve ten years or more. Pensions can actually exceed a legislators top earned salary depending on legislative position and service time.

My state rep got elected in a gerrymandered district drawn to elect Rs. He's only a high school graduate and was unemployed when picked by R leadership to run for the seat. He's been reelected enough times to qualify for a pension when he either retires or is defeated. Nice work if you can get it.

[calimary]

17. Yep. We're losing Rachel Prusak for that reason, Dammit.

All three say it doesn’t pay enough, and they’re right. And besides, the state legislature up here seems to meet for a month, and then it’s over for the rest of the year, barring somebody calling for a special session (I think).