 |
 |
By Kyle D. Loveless
Recently, our state legislature was given an extra benefit just for being elected. Each legislator’s health care “allowance” was raised from $200 per month to over $1500, roughly a 600% increase! In essence, they were given a pay raise without anyone noticing. Guess who has to pay for their aspirin… you and I, more importantly, our children.
We have some serious problems with our priorities in this state. Our education system needs an overhaul. Our roads and bridges are falling apart. Our businesses and our citizens struggle under the weight of taxes. Our state should be taking measures to ensure that we will thrive in our second century, not take a step back.
The reasoning for the increase is that legislators are state employees and deserve benefits equivalent to those state employees get.
James Farris, a member of the commission who approved the increase, said, “It seemed appropriate to me that all state employees be treated the same. The disparity was so dramatic, it seemed to me to get people back on a level playing field.”
Pardon me, but I must say, “Hogwash!”
According to news reports, Mr. Farris also went on to say he “did not know how much this increase was going to cost.” What? Really? Since when do officials approve additional taxpayer-funded benefits without knowing what the costs are?
The commission that oversees the salaries and benefits for legislators mentioned that they were responding to a legislators’ spouse. I find this outrageous.
Our state legislators’ compensation is already among the highest in the nation, especially considering that the legislature only meets from February until the end of May. State employees work year around. Their job is their career. Legislators are supposed to have other employment since they are in session less than half the year. Elected legislators know the drill. If you seek elected office for the extra benefits, you need don’t need to be in office in the first place.
I’m astounded by the audacity of elected leaders who believe they are entitled to increased health benefits when the average Oklahoman struggles to keep health insurance. Health care costs are expensive, both for businesses and individuals. Our leaders should look for solutions to this problem, not simply drain taxpayers further to increase their own benefits.
Taxpayers want more out of our government. When we have teachers having to purchase paper and chalk, we need to set real, honest priorities. I don’t think that increasing health care benefits 600% for our part-time legislators should rank among the top priorities.
Our roads and bridges need help now. Infrastructure needs abound throughout the state. Just one example is Sara Road in Mustang which remains undeveloped because of political infighting about who should pay for it. We need leaders who will use their position and resources to build a better state, not a better benefits package for themselves.
Our education system needs a transfusion of competition, higher standards, and more parental involvement. We do not need 535 school administrative districts. It is embarrassing when Texas and Florida both have fewer districts than we do. Administrative costs sponge all the money from the teachers, principals, classrooms, and students. We need to do something about it, but everyone is afraid to even talk about this because of backlash from the education lobby. We need leaders who aren’t afraid to do the right thing even if it isn’t popular.
Oklahomans have survived tornados, the Dust Bowl, oil booms and busts, and we are stronger because of it. We deserve leaders who share that Oklahoma spirit, leaders who share our belief in hard work and helping a neighbor in need, not trying to get every benefit that is permissible on the backs of the taxpayer. It’s downright shameful. It is a privilege and honor to represent Oklahomans at the state capitol, and they deserve better than this
Leave a comment