Picotalk Blog Compilation

Link: http://tinyurl.com/de5w5

I hope the people of this riding never forget the position of our MLA Kevin Kruger professed from last nights news broadcasts. He directly attacked the NDP leader for backing down on the legislation that would have given all MLA's a hefty 15% wage increase and a pension package.

On the record, he admitted that it took months to prepare the documents; which means they were working on their own wage increase at the same time as they were breaking down the teacher's for wanting, essentially, the same thing. Fortunately, they heard the roars of protest and heeded the calls from the people of British Columbia. It's time to taste their own medicine!

I do, however, believe that we need to pay our MLA's a generous salary and benefits package (while they're employed as an MLA, not after). The only MLA that voted against rescinding their self-voted wage increases, Lorne Mayencourt, may not have spoken it quite so directly, but is essentially correct. To attract quality people who will work the long days, often under fire from the media and the people they serve, the wages and benefits need to be appropriate for the job.

I would even go so far as to say that 15% increase is really just a drop in the bucket compared to what our MLA's should be paid, however, now is definitely not the time for it. Get the economy on track, get the books balanced and the debt paid down, get back to proper wage negotiations with the various unions and you can think about doing the same for yourself.

Mickael Maddison