Yes, $19K a year is a lot on money to someone who is working a minimum wage job, but shouldn't we be paying some who is doing a stressful and important job more than minimum wage? If we didn't, the only people who could EVER run for office would be those who are already RICH. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to pay their bills. Is that what we want?

you don't care:

try telling that to someone who works at mcdonalds or a waitress with 2 kids who works their A** off for much less,when these legislators set on their a**** and do abslutely NOTHING...

I don't think $19K/year is fattening ANYTHING.

lmao, C.K.

your right c.k. even the dems who once stood for the working class has lost perspective on all of us

[blank stare]

god forbid they have to eat lunch at mcdonald's instead of somewhere like the chop house on occassion like the rest of us.

or stay in a hotel that doesn't have room service.

that would just be absurd.

it makes much more sense to give them more money and watch other people lose their jobs that pay their electric bills.

I really don't see how the legislators can make it on such paltry compensation, especially considering the importance of the jobs for which they were elected. I think all good citizens of The State would gladly give a generous portion of their livelihood to insure our leaders have the very best of everything. I propose a significant percentage of the newly increased red-light fines be earmarked for the specific purpose of providing for the well-being and comfort of our honorable elected officials.

On slightly different note, can anyone confirm the rumor that Sarah (H. S.) Palin is looking at properties in Brentwood with intentions on relocating in time for the upcoming Governor's election?

Typical in the good old US of A

okay for all of these people who cannot or have not read the article. this is about the state of tennessee and not the us gov't. and yes the republicans are in control and not the democrats. READ THE ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!

While faced with a continuing state budget crunch that likely will mean laying off state employees, Tennessee legislators have received a $14-a-day increase in their compensation for expenses.

Dear Isis B; I hate to inform you who is in charge of the Legislature, but let me remind you. REPUBLICANS. Take a break from FIX NEWS and read the newspapers.

Like everything else. The rich keep getting richer on the backs of the working class. They can vote themselves a raise and once they leave office they will still draw a check and get all the benefits. I don't quite think this is what our founding fathers had in mind for this country.

It's funny to me to hear people talk about struggling around here. I think the government is pretty well taking care of it's people. I mean, think about the arctic indians and how they had to live; killing buffalo for their food, clothing and shelter. That would be struggling!

"We probably ought to look at it at some point," Turner said. "If per diem gets so high, maybe we ought to look more at increasing the salary and lowering per diem to balance it out."

ummmmmmmm, this fixes the problem how???? and you wonder why people run for these posts? 31k in comp and "office expense", plus $185 every day they're in session, travelling on "official business", etc. they have 60 "legislative and organizational" days per term, and there are of course other "official" duties they can be in on. that amounts to another 11k. so there is a minimum of 43k without even considering what other days they can finagle and make official. and this is a PART TIME JOB. many if not all have something else going on. so you're getting a decent salary for a full time job as your part time job and still have time to do whatever it was you were doing before. this doesn't even consider the intangible value of being a legislator with regards to favors, sports tickets, deals, etc. not a bad gig if you can swing it.

"Ben Cunningham of Tennessee Tax Revolt, a watchdog group, said legislators should be required to take votes on raising their expenses instead of having them go up automatically."

Legislators will never allow this to happen because they can enjoy the increase of money to themselves and claim they weren't responsible for it. Also I haven't heard of any of these guys refusing the increase and sending it back. That's how it works today in American politics.

Charles I am not sure what world you're in but in the world that I am in, the Democracks are running it or ruining it however you want to look at it. Republicans have no power...DUH...wake up from your CNN stupor!

This is typical...I am not surprised but then again, this is why people need to get up off their couch and go vote!

Are you really Surprised?? Seriously if you are you have been living in another world, This is the world we live in and it is not going to change.

At least not until the next Revolution

A government should be scared of it's people not the other way around.

Currently America is filled with millions of scared sheep and until the rest of us change that. Stories like this will be the norm.

The people need to take their country back.

I'm confused. Isn't Congress and lawmakers suppose to helping the American public....not helping themselves?

That is 50% more than I get for unemployment!

Wow amazing!!!!! While people around here struggles to pay rent, insurance and grocery's, this old farts with their expensive mistresses, J.C Penney suits, and their big vehicles laugh at us! Am neither rep, dem or cons...I am just someone looking from the outside in on this S.O.B good for nothing!!!

Oh Charles...

The Dems are any better? Checked our deficit lately?

"Working class" or not, we're ALL getting the shaft by both the Republicans and the Democrats.

like i said before keep voteing these republicans in and just see how bad it gets for the working class

OMG HERE WE GO WITH THIS CRAP!!!PEOPLE IN NORTHEAST TENN. ARE STRUGGLING , BUT YET THESE A$$HOLES ARE FATTENING THERE POCKETS. i gotta go to work but i bet this page will be full by 5:00