Editorial: Pay Raises - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Pay Raises

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  • Editorials

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
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  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
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  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
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    •   

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - When the entire state of Alabama is being asked to do the same or more with less – wouldn't you think all state legislators would be willing to share in the sacrifice?  You would think.

This month most state lawmakers will receive a 1.5% percent cost of living increase.  On average this works out to $792 dollars annually in wages.  Some might say – this is not enough of a bump in pay to warrant discussion.  That is unless you were one of the state workers being laid off or one that will be told to take an unwanted unpaid furlough.

To be fair, the wage increases were voted on and approved and the lawmaker's have every right to them.  The problem is timing.  It's hard to fathom with teachers and state workers taking hit after financial hit and fast approaching and escalating budget issues in 2012 and 2013 that we are even dealing with this.  But we are.

There are times when you do the right thing and it's the wrong thing.  Accepting a raise in principle is not a bad thing.  How about this – why NOT accept the 1.5% increase in pay and get a raise in something else – constituent support and praise.

I'm Collin Gaston –those are my thoughts –I'd like to hear yours.

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