“NO NEW SPENDING–EXCEPT ON US”

The GOP-controlled Texas Legislature has accomplished nothing–as in zero, zip, nada, nil–on paying for children’s education. But it woke up long enough last session to do something about its own pay. The Legislature increased its pension for members by 23 percent, on a bill sponsored by Dallas’ own Rep. Will Hartnett, a Republican who I am sure is very sincere about “holding the line on spending.”

By the way, the News story about this on September 9 was titled “Perry OKs Judicial Pay Raise.” It wasn’t until half way down that the reader discovers the part about the legislative pensions. That’s because the Lege very cleverly tied its own increase to judges’ increases. Who’s against more pay for judges?