Steve sent the following letter to Patuxent Publishing and asked that it be distributed (AKA printed) in papers around the region, such as the Catonsville & Arbutus Times. I’ll let you know if they print it, but I thought you might want to know exactly where your tax dollars go. What do you think about all this? How high is too high? How much do you think our elected officials should be paid?
“Think the pay, perks, and benefits of state level politicians are too high? Then stop reading now because you may not want to learn what our county politicians receive.
While state legislators receive $43,000 annually, County Council members get $54,000 — $60,000 when serving as the chairman. Our governor receives $150,000 annually. Our County Executive earns the same figure despite a significantly smaller scope of responsibility, representing just 14% of the state’s population and managing substantially fewer employees.
Baltimore County Council members and the County Executive are also afforded a county vehicle for personal use year-round. In addition, the pension and healthcare benefits for our part-time politicians are way out-of-touch with plans offered to state politicians and our military who risk their lives defending us everyday around the globe.
Local government Democrats and their longtime promoters, some of whom are announced candidates backed by special interest, have focused on short-term personal gains instead of adopting policies that would best serve our future. I predict that the upcoming elections will bring about political balance and real reforms.
The one-party rule, self-centered politics, and spending spree in Towson, Annapolis, and Washington DC must end.
Sincerely
Steve Whisler”
