Being Broke

Talk about missing the boat.

Last summer's legislative pay raise raised the ire of an entire state.

Some people never learn.

Speaking on a public-television program (ironically titled "Smart Talk") on Thursday, Perzel compared state legislators' salaries with those of tattoo artists.

"We have roughly 30-some members who can't apply for a credit card because their credit's so bad," Perzel said on the WITF-TV program, "and I know a lot of people out there watching this show have the same exact problem."

...

When I see that a tattoo artist in the city of Philadelphia makes more than a legislator, I think there's a problem," said Perzel, R-Philadelphia. "I thought the members of the General Assembly were worth one half of what a member of Congress makes."

A member of the U.S. House or Senate makes $165,200 a year.

Most state lawmakers are paid $72,187, with annual cost-of-living increases and generous fringe benefits. Perzel is among the legislative leaders who make more than the base salary - nearly $109,000 last year in his case.

Tattoo artists?

$30,000 / year.

Pennsylvania Posted by AlexC at June 18, 2006 7:31 PM