Thompson to take pay cut, lead by example
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THOMPSON TO TAKE PAY CUT, LEAD BY EXAMPLE 11/28/2001. Ed Thompson, Libertarian candidate for Governor of Wisconsin, promises to take a 10% pay cut when he becomes governor. "We have to cut spending to reduce taxes, keep family wage jobs in Wisconsin, and have a truly balanced budget," said Thompson. "I will lead by example and take a 10% pay cut my first day in the Governor's office. I will ask my cabinet nominees to do the same," he said. Using figures from the current budget, cutting 10% off the salaries of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and all non-elected cabinet level Secretaries would save more than $168,400 during the current fiscal year. Thompson also plans to reduce by 5% the internal operating expenses of the state executive departments, known as General Program Operations in the budget. This cut will reduce state spending by more than $15 million over a two year period. "As Governor, I will stand up to runaway spending. Wisconsin's budget is so far in the red that the only way to balance it is to drastically cut spending", he said. Thompson's proposed cuts in the executive departments will require executive employees to work more efficiently. "We can reduce office costs by over $15 million in the first two years of my administration before we even look at a single program", he said. In light of the state's budget concerns, Thompson expressed dismay about the $91,000 raise bestowed on UW system President Katharine Lyall by the UW Board of Regents, along with raises for most of the other UW system Chancellors."I just can't see the logic of a 44% raise for a State worker in a red-ink environment", said Thompson. Recently the Legislature gave-up its Constitutional duty to approve spending by allowing the UW Board of Regents to set salaries without legislative review or approval. Phone: (608)374-2537 Fax: (608)374-2674 E-mail: Media@edthompson.com |
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