The following list has been released of the legislators refusing to accept the pay raise. What’s particularly interesting is that out of the 19 legislators (excluding Tucker…we’ll talk about him later) who are refusing to accept the additional pay, 5 of them originally voted for the bill. Now, I don’t know if these legislators had a change of heart, or if they just thought refusing the pay raise would make them look cool? Well, it doesn’t. In my own opinion, it makes them look wishy-washy and stupid to have such quick changes of opinion on a single, rather simple, topic.
Representatives refusing additional pay:
Voted FOR:
Patrick Connick (R-Harvey)
Walt Leger, III (D-New Orleans)
John Schroder (R-Covington)
Ricky Templet (R-Gretna)
Voted AGAINST:
Chris Hazel (R-Ball)
Tony Ligi (R-Metairie)
Nicholas Lorusso (R-New Orleans)
Dee Richard (I-Thibodaux)
Clif Richardson (R-Greenwell Springs)
Karen St. Germain (D-Pierre Part)
Kirk Talbot (R-River Ridge)
Donald Trahan (R-Lafayette)
Absent for vote:
Kevin Pearson (R-Slidell)
Senators refusing additional pay:
Voted FOR:
Danny Martiny (R-Kenner)
Voted AGAINST:
Jody Amedee (D-Gonzales)
Bill Cassidy (R-Baton Rouge)
Donald Cravins, Jr. (D-Opelousas)
A.G. Crowe (R-Slidell)
Neil Riser (R-Columbia)
But the really interesting part about all this, is that Speaker of the House Jim Tucker is now saying he won’t keep the pay raise! That’s right. After toting around Senator Ann “Mercedes” Duplessis’ bill like it was a gift from Heaven itself, Tucker is now claiming that he’ll accept the pay raise, but he won’t keep it. See, Tucker’s such saint: he’ll be donating the excess salary to charity. How…sweet of him. Now, while I’m sure local charites will be overly grateful for Tucker’s $20,000 + a year, I think the taxpayers of Louisiana would be a bit more grateful for the $28,244,328 that he just cost them over the next five years (check the fiscal note on SB 672 for yourself). Speaker Tucker’s paradoxical actions on this issue are simply…mind-boggling. There are no more words…it’s time for action. Calling Tucker’s office is great…but it obviously doesn’t help. I think recalling Tucker may be more useful. Check out the new website…
Recall “Payraise” Tucker!
Ready for battle,
-Your friendly neighborhood blogger
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