Congressional staff salaries
MR links to a database -- Legistorm -- that's posted salaries of congressional staffers on-line. All the information was available on "paper" before, but some of the politicos aren't happy. I suspect they don't want to field questions as to why the 14-year-old male staffer was paid a 6-figure salary.
I'm always in favour of more disclosure as opposed to less disclosure.
MR links to a database -- Legistorm -- that's posted salaries of congressional staffers on-line. All the information was available on "paper" before, but some of the politicos aren't happy. I suspect they don't want to field questions as to why the 14-year-old male staffer was paid a 6-figure salary.
I'm always in favour of more disclosure as opposed to less disclosure.
Labels: Politics
posted by Continental Drift at
11:19 PM
3 Comments:
I think this is helpful as far as tracking favors given to lobbyists and their relatives and other people who shouldnt have undue influence or benefit from the congressperson's position.
And to an extent the consultants to politicians can be overpaid. (I am friends with the fellow who helped the former CA Speaker of the House pick his political appointments and made $90K for the effort.) But by and large I would say staffers are underpaid--they work constantly, have to keep up appearances (clothes, etc.), have to be trusted not to bring scandal or mistakes that would embarass their boss, have to keep track of who's who both at home and in DC, have to strategize about political favors and bluffs and stuff....etc. It goes on and on.
I briefly perused the listing and I'd agree with your contention that the staffers appear to be overpaid. But I think that most staffers don't intend to be career staffers but intend to use the role to position themselves for future opportunities. e.g. a future corporate attorney who worked on the staff of the banking committee chair etc. etc.
It sounds like a fantastic job, but just for a few years.
In an unrelated note, check out this article:
http://www.slate.com/id/2155822/?nav=ais
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