Performance Pay for Legislators

HF 2966:

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, members of the legislature may not receive salary or per diem living expenses after May in an odd-numbered year until the legislature has passed and presented to the governor all of the bills designated as major appropriation and revenue bills by law, or by rules of both the house of representatives and the senate.

How could anyone vote against this. My only amendment would be to strike the back door clause:

This section does not apply to a member of the legislature who files a signed statement with the presiding officer of the body in which the member serves, stating that the member wishes to receive salary and per diem notwithstanding the fact that the legislature has not passed all of the major appropriation and revenue bills. This statement must read as follows:
"I request continuation of my legislative salary and per diem living expenses beyond the May adjournment of the legislative session. I understand that the health and welfare of Minnesota citizens may be imperiled as a result of the failure of the legislature to pass all of the bills designated as major appropriation and revenue bills. I further understand that failure of the legislature to pass all of the bills designated as major appropriation and revenue bills may result in the shutdown of critical government services and lost wages for public servants affected by a shutdown.

The sentiment of this legislation is lost in the opportunity for legislators to simply sign a document buried in bureaucracy.

Let's just keep it simple. If you don't get your job done, you don't get paid!

Flash