Washington State Legislators Vote to Protect Jobs
Their own jobs that is. House Bill 2473 would protect state lawmakers — the ones who have an outside job in addition to “serving” in Olympia — from being fired by their employers. Employers would be required to grant a temporary leave of absence to their legislator-employees.
First things first. At least they've got each others' backs. What about those of their constituents?
So far, HB 2473 has passed the House.
Can't blame the Republicans for this. The bill was introduced by a Democrat, and the one legislator who spoke out against it (in the linked article) was a Republican.
Labels: House Bill 2473
posted by Tom Harper @ 4:02 PM
2 Comments:
I have a couple of questions: One is the Washington Legislature Full Time or Part time? Do they have term limits? How much of a problem is this?
If so this is the price you pay for the limited Government movement going across the country.
If you want effective Government in this greatly expanding world where more people have needs and expectations (even if they deny it) You have to expand to compensate - make them full time and raise their pay - otherwise you get what you wish as well as pay for.
Outside jobs can just create a conflict of interest and no one wants their legislators to ask "Would you like Fries with that?"
Erik
Erik: I think the legislature is part time, without term limits. Their spin is that this protection would enable 9-to-5 working stiffs the same opportunity to serve in the legislature as wealthy people who don't need to work. It's a valid point, but I just tend to put it in the same category as legislators voting themselves a pay raise and using taxpayer-financed health benefits while denying "socialized medicine" to everybody else.
Post a Comment
<< Home