OK If ND Lawmakers Vote Themselves Another Pay Raise?

I don't want to lump all employers together, but here I goes anyways.

You've probably worked a bunch of jobs by now and is it fair to say that there wasn't one job you had where you could vote yourself a raise? Of course it is.  No matter how long you've had a job, the only real way to get a real raise is get an offer from somewhere else.   In the private sector there are no cost-of-living raises, the only way you can keep up with inflation is to have some kind of side-hustle. Just imagine, in working your side-hustle, you had the power to give yourself a raise!

It's like picking up the needle on your record player and replaying the same song over and over again.

This is the second session in a row that North Dakota Legislators want a pay raise. The Senate already UNANIMOUSLY passed the measure and the House is soon expected to do the same.  Part of the reasoning behind the pay bump? It's North Dakota's rosy economic future!  Sure there's been a rebound, but budget writers are counting on oil prices and production being stable. So that means tax collections will be on the rise, so how about a rise in lawmakers take home pay?

Well why not?   Tell 'em Chet...

“If the Legislature’s increase is the same as state employees, there is nothing wrong with that,” said Republican Rep. Chet Pollert, the House majority leader. “I think it’s fair.”

On paper it does seem fair, although when you see it on paper it will probably send steam shooting out of your ears.  Especially when you get to this part of the AP News report...

Still, some lawmakers believe their own pay is below par, especially since meals paid for by lobbyists and interest groups are now banned under voter-approved ethics rules.

Ah, the return of the Spagettios!

You want to see all the numbers and really get a grasp on what's up for grabs? Click the AP News story right here.  It might change your mind.