Rep. Hintz to Return Portion of Legislative Pay; Joins bi-partisan effort to cut state spending

MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) issued the following statement regarding his decision to return 16 days of his legislative salary over the next two years as part of the bi-partisan effort to cut state spending. Following Governor Doyle’s recent announcement of a 16 day furlough for all state employees over the biennium, many legislators have decided that they will return 16 days of their salary. The Wisconsin State Constitution prohibits legislators from being furloughed.

“As we continue to look for ways to solve Wisconsin’s growing budget deficit, a number of difficult decisions have to be made. The original proposed budget already includes $2.2 billion in spending cuts – the largest and deepest in Wisconsin history. However, the recent deficit numbers prove that there are additional cuts that need to be made. While the Constitution does not allow legislators to be furloughed like state employees and legislative staff, I will return the equivalent of 16 days of my legislative salary over the next biennium.

"The current economic downturn has had a devastating impact on our economy as well as state revenues, which has threatened our government’s ability to fund basic services, schools, and tax relief. As a result we need to find equitable ways to fund these crucial services without placing a higher burden on Wisconsin families that are already struggling. We are asking Wisconsin state employees, legislative staff, and their families to make a significant sacrifice in these difficult times, and it is only fair that we in the Legislature do the same.”