Mississippi Senate Passes Salary Reduction Bill
The Mississippi Senate voted to lower lawmaker salaries by 10 percent in light of the state’s budget shortfall. First-term state Sen. Giles Ward, a Republican representing Winston, Neshoba and Leake counties, introduced the bill.
The measure passed 39 to 2. It would affect senators, state representatives, the speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor.
“The only difference between these individuals (state employees) and ourselves is that we are in the unique position of exempting ourselves from salary cuts. I submit to you that is not a valid reason. Meager as our salaries may be, we should lead the way and demonstrate to our state employees, school teachers, and taxpayers that we truly understand the problem and are not going to be guilty of saying ‘do as we say’ rather than ‘do as we do’,” Ward said.
WTOK
2/10/10
Magnolia Tribune
