With Alaska legislators poised to accept a $34,000-a-year raise, there's no longer a justification for paying themselves $9,000 a month for living expenses in Juneau.
I totally agree, but also, $33/day for food is...tough. I payed $13.50 for a bowl of noodles at Carrs the other day for lunch. Finding a nutrious meal for $11 in 2023 is not an easy call, especially in Alaska.
Maybe I’m harsh , but give them a 5% raise and keep the per diem as is. Legislators are more likely to be manipulated by those expensive dinners in the salt bowl. And I don’t think we’ll get smarter or more honest candidates if we pay them more.
Mr. Herz; It becomes Germaine (legislative pay) in the second paragraph. A question to pose to legislators: What pay level would allow you to ignore lobbyists?
And now for something completely different. First the Alaska Legislature pass with veto proof majority a truly progressive income tax, a $100 per year per capitation tax on all individuals in Alaska more than three days, a significant wealth tax and then repeal SB-21 and the entire ‘credits’ scam, then impose a sensible “Fair Share” oil severance tax.
Then, to prove they are up to the challenge of running on their record, increase the pay of Senators to 1/3 million $ per year and House members to 1/4 million starting after the next election for that office (who wants to elect a soon to be ‘millionaire’ become a question for a voter), accept campaign donations from only citizens eligible to vote for you, divest themselves of all investments and unless a school teacher, medical doctor or nurse stop one’s regular job or profession and be a full time Senator or Representative. Maintain an office in one’s district and drop all that per diem complexity. Show the Oil Barons’ executives that you to are worthy of high pay for exercising the powers we voters give you.
I totally agree, but also, $33/day for food is...tough. I payed $13.50 for a bowl of noodles at Carrs the other day for lunch. Finding a nutrious meal for $11 in 2023 is not an easy call, especially in Alaska.
Maybe I’m harsh , but give them a 5% raise and keep the per diem as is. Legislators are more likely to be manipulated by those expensive dinners in the salt bowl. And I don’t think we’ll get smarter or more honest candidates if we pay them more.
We should rethink the entire paradigm and answer the questions, "How do we attract the best talent to these positions?" and "How do we retain them?".
Mr. Herz; It becomes Germaine (legislative pay) in the second paragraph. A question to pose to legislators: What pay level would allow you to ignore lobbyists?
And now for something completely different. First the Alaska Legislature pass with veto proof majority a truly progressive income tax, a $100 per year per capitation tax on all individuals in Alaska more than three days, a significant wealth tax and then repeal SB-21 and the entire ‘credits’ scam, then impose a sensible “Fair Share” oil severance tax.
Then, to prove they are up to the challenge of running on their record, increase the pay of Senators to 1/3 million $ per year and House members to 1/4 million starting after the next election for that office (who wants to elect a soon to be ‘millionaire’ become a question for a voter), accept campaign donations from only citizens eligible to vote for you, divest themselves of all investments and unless a school teacher, medical doctor or nurse stop one’s regular job or profession and be a full time Senator or Representative. Maintain an office in one’s district and drop all that per diem complexity. Show the Oil Barons’ executives that you to are worthy of high pay for exercising the powers we voters give you.
And an to add to the little secrets, the per diem payment is federal tax free.