The Nov. 22 issue of the Deseret News explained the merits of a pay raise for the Utah legislative body. Yes, do it, but let's treat everyone in a fair and equitable manner. Case in point: The Legislature has for the past few years played political football with what is known as the "Retirement Equity Bill." Those of us who retired in 1986 and before were given a retirement benefit under the three-tier system. Attempts have been made to rectify this inequity. One year, the House passes the bill and the Senate votes it down. The next year, the Senate will pass and the House will not. Many retirees are receiving lesser compensation for long years of working than those with fewer years for the same service. Time is running out for retirees as many have met their demise. Perchance if the legislators and the governor defer their pay raise a few years, their end will be the same.
I agree with the statement in your "Opinion"; we do trust legislators with great responsibility such as setting tax rates and approving billions of dollars in expenditure. I also agree that higher compensation would go far in compensating them for their work. However, I disagree that "higher compensation ensures top-caliber people will stay involved." Is it possible that the Legislature could importune the retirement board to tap the $10 billion-plus (at the end of 1997) retirement fund to squeeze out a few dollars to fund the equity desperately needed? Or would it break the bank?Perhaps all the spiel about Y2K will come true and cancel the year 2000 legislative session. What a happy thought.
Kenneth Harris
North Salt Lake