Who Pays for Three Week Shutdown in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin...a very costly three weeks.

Well, here goes it all...in our sound bite and word driven media war, with the goal to influence public opinion and future voting booths, it is difficult to understand what has just gone down.  Last night the Republican controlled senate voted without their Democrat peers.  One lone Republican voted against the measures.  But the budget of Wisconsin may now get back to repairing and fixing itself.  Maybe. 

But follow me on something that you have not heard anywhere - at least, I don't recall hearing it.  Mind you this is simply math and not exact.  It is just to prove a point and is the result of about 10 minutes of work.

Here's the deal: For three weeks the Democrats did not come to work.   Let's say that they each earn $50,000 plus benefits (probably more as this report is two years old). As a side note they receive on average, depending on temporary residence $66/day per diem, travel expenses, office expenses, health care (equal to state employee) and retirement benefits (with 2.6% employee/8.1% employer contribution as of 2005).  That quickly works out to $4166.66 per month, plus extras.

The Democrats have been out of work and vacationing in Illinois for three weeks.  That equates to $12,500 in salary for each member. A Per Diem of $66/day would equal $1386 per member.  Office expense is $3-10K per member, based on district size as of 2009.  Travel expenses might be up to $3,000 per month, depending on district.  Let's just focus on the salary, per diem and retirement (8.1% 2005 report), which is about $1012.5 per member for a three week period based on $50K yearly salary in simple 12 month division.

So, for three weeks the basic salary and health care cost of these AWOL elected professionals is $208,579.
Each day they are out of the office living it up in Illinios, they cost the state of WI $9932.33.

This does not include the cost of the many teachers who have walked out for any given number of days.  Where this is complicated is "how many are bussed in from even other states?"  So, this is hard to add to the scenario...but is no less present and a strain on the state budget.  Further, at who's cost are those bussed in persons?

How many of you can walk off your job for three weeks - in essence stating "I don't agree with you Mr. Employer, so I'm out of here...but, you can't fire me.  I'll be back sometime."??  Or, feel comfortable calling in six, yet showing up on the 6 o'clock news?

It was WAY passed the time to act legistlatively.  Three cheers for the Republicans! Click that hyper link and you will find plenty of very research documentations!

PS.  If the budget shortfall is 1.37 million, then the real cost of all the state legistlator and teachers being AWOL for three weeks would (likely/nearly) account for the .37 million easily.  FURTHER....can one not argue that the salaries of the Republicans, staff, and Governor may at least partially be applied to this "shut down" of the WI budget?  At that point, these three weeks have been very costly!

Now...how is this factoring in nationally?

ONE LONE WOLF AWAY

It is amazing to me that the Wisconsin Situation is just one vote...one vote from being shut down and settled. The democrats have been called back to work after a lengthy eight day vacation at the expense of the specific tax payers of WI. Finally!

What is it that makes these legistlators believe that they can just walk off the job. Where's the integrity there? Further, where is the Lone Wolf, the Maverick, the Stand Alone that would risk it all, follow the voice of reason and vote fiscal responsibilty?

It is absurd that NOT ONE democrat sees the same truths of the system failure that is happening in WI. Besides that, this is an epidemic - nationally! We have to stop the bleeding! With WI the move would break the ice for states nation-wide to make logical budget cuts.

For that matter, where is the honest, common sense, American, reasonable Union Employee? The One that would return to work based on character and realism? Where is he? What is she thinking? What makes them think that they deserve and must have the benefit package they have? Why is it not possible for them to see the graciousness of the plan proposed by Governor Walker?

Neither would sell papers; that does not produce sensational ratings on the 24hr networks. Interesting that Rep. Corey Mason (D) says in USA Today "They're trying to portray you as rioters," he said. "They're afraid of what you have to say." This sells papers. You cannot tell me that this man cannot see the writing on the wall and know, intellectually know, that the Governor is right!

Union of the State, 1/25/11

One person said on Facebook: "Pondering rhetoric vs. substance."

Does anyone really believe (beside the media...) that Obama believes much of anything he said tonight? Further, did anyone else catch that there was a list of wants followed by "we are going to put a freeze on the budget."

WHAT?

Seriously, you cannot have both.

Education - The President did get some of this right. We are failing and we need to get it fixed. Education needs to supersede sports....ha! Yeah, that'll happen. It should though - other countries laugh at us!

Tax - Still class envy, which will destroy us. More Rhetoric and failure options.

Korea - Really? This is all "you got?" 70,000 jobs there - sure, sign me up. :{

Recovery Act - K. That worked.

Jobs - Your Achilles heel. We've hovered at 10% nearly your entire presidency and you were hot on this at the start.

Clean Energy - 1 Million electric cars!?! Why? They run (at best) just under 100 miles (if you drive like a granny) on an 8hr charge! Then the cars run on fossil fuels. What charges them - household electricity. What fuels the household: coal, nuclear, etc.

Litany of Govt "Investments" - who's paying? Yep, bend over.... OH! BUT WE ARE FREEZING THE BUDGET! Which you said back a couple years ago too. And, thanks for explaining why you didn't work on this "immediately."

Earmark reform - i.e. The Health Care Bill?

Everyday is not Election Day - Really? That would be nice to see with you too.


Basically, it was a love fest with the Speaker and Vice shaking hands or bumping fists; McCain cuddling with Kerry and many others abstaining from segregation. Applause was muted, cheers limited and even the President seemed to be lackluster.

With two republican responses (so says the News Media), I wonder how the Republicans will carry on in the wake of Tucson. Further, when will the New Speaker quit crying?