Minnesota Senate Gives Itself a Raise

It must be nice working for the state. The hours are good, the work is easy, and you can write yourself a raise whenever you want:

Proposed by the state compensation council, a small group comprised of appointees by the Legislature, the governor and the state Supreme Court, the suggested raise for legislators would cost state taxpayers $2.37 million per year. The compensation council also recommended raised for the governor and judges.

The bill squeaked through the Senate on a 34-32 vote. Its chances for success appear slim in the House, and that might be just fine with many Minnesotans.

I can't really blame them since I would give myself a raise if I could. But I also don't get paid with stolen money, which makes a bit of a difference. What makes this story funny is the justification given for raising their wages. If I were a legislator who just gave myself a giant raise at a time when many people haven't seen a raise in years I'd be honest and just say "I gave myself a raise because I could. If you could do it you would as well." Instead the politicians had to hide behind one of the biggest crocks of shit I've ever witnessed:

Supporters say a raise is overdue and that without better pay well-qualified candidates may not run for the Legislature.

What constitutes a "well-qualified candidate?" I don't believe I've ever seen somebody who was better qualified to run my life than I am and, as far as I can tell, that's what politicians are supposed to do.