LEGISLATURE: Majority coalition caucus a flop
Re: “Where Legislature stands on bills” (TNT, 4-30). Here we are at the end of another session, and can anyone say they are really surprised by the list of items that were not passed? There is no...
View ArticleLOBBYISTS: Of course money can sway votes
Re: “$200,000 to entertain lawmakers in 3 months” (TNT, 5-3). This one sentence becomes the main narrative of what lobbyists and Washington politicians want to leave you with and hope you believe it:...
View ArticleLEGISLATURE: Pass budget first
Once again, state legislators can’t get their work done on schedule, and they’re moving to another expensive special session. This recurring problem happens because legislators have their priorities...
View ArticleBUDGET: Restoring dental coverage is win-win
Re: “Special session could drag on to the bitter end” (TNT, 5-12). The state legislature has many tough decisions to make during its special session now underway. But some decisions should be easy from...
View ArticleBUDGET: Rodney Tom heading in the right direction
Re: “Senate leader suggests fines to speed up work” (TNT, 7-9). Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom has the right idea, but why stop at fining legislators only $250 a day and all per diem? Why not hit...
View ArticleSPEEDING: Make way for lead-footed legislators
Re: “Does state forgive legislators’ speeding?” (TNT, 9-15). If a speeding legislator hits and kills someone, will the deceased receive a medal for service to his state? Or perhaps the deceased should...
View ArticleLAWMAKERS: Free meals shouldn’t be confusing
Re: ”Free meal limits confuse some legislators” (TNT, 1-31). Some of our legislators are venting their annoyance that they can only get 12 free meals from lobbyists. How horrible! I have worked for the...
View ArticleLEGISLATURE: Why reward lawmakers for failure?
Re: “Per diem drives up special session cost” (TNT, 5-31). It’s frustrating as a taxpayer to see how lawmakers are compensated when they haven’t done their job in the time prescribed. Since our...
View ArticleLEGISLATURE: Let’s pay for performance
Re: “Per diem drives up special session cost” (TNT, 5-31). There is something inherently wrong with a system that rewards our state’s lawmakers when they cannot or will not do their jobs – such as...
View ArticleEDUCATION: Legislators failed to do their duty
The long, simmering legislative session is over. For some, it brings relief. Perhaps for others, a sense of accomplishment. For me, it elicits a sense of disappointment. Legislators should be sending...
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