[Last] Sunday there was an article in the News Journal about legislators taking trips on taxpayer dollars. This wrong I have been critical of from the day I took office over 25 years ago and criticized this policy with few supporters to change it. I don’t take trips and thusly have never spent a dime of public money. I feel our income is such, we should pay our own way. One probably noticed the trips are conspicuously always arranged in resort-type areas.
Being a small businessperson, holding office is something you do out of a calling to serve and is certainly not about the money. My business takes my calls all day long and I share with Sen. Venables a very capable staff person in Dover. I do receive mileage to Dover as 50-plus miles from my house on the days in session. Unfortunately, for most citizens who are very capable of serving in office, the financial sacrifice of leaving a business or a career to be a public servant is too much.
Compounding this issue of those serving taking taxpayer-paid trips, are those members who come to the legislature and take a second full-time job. Generally speaking, the position is paying more than a legislator’s salary and the additional perks that are associated with that position as well.
I have Senate Bill 96, which has yet to be allowed to come out of committee or brought to the floor for a vote. It is directed toward eliminating the ability of obtaining that second position while holding a state elected office.
I hope the public holds legislators' feet to the fire to eliminate perks, especially in these difficult times, and second state jobs after becoming a legislator.
I know there are numerous legislators who would like to see the House and Senate become a full-time position. I totally disagree, as it would eliminate the Gerald Hockers, Joe Booths, myself and others and take away independent voices who do not depend on legislative salaries to guide their decision-making and create even more government when we should have far less government and socialism.
