Last night, the Chicks went to the local political version of the Superbowl, the Oshkosh League of Women Voters Forum. This is always a great event, giving candidates and the community the chance to hear from the candidates in an hour long interaction. The forums last night were for the 53rd Assembly, 54th Assembly and 18th Senate races. We're going to concentrate on the 18th Senate right now.
The is the second forum where Randy Hopper, the Republican candidate for the open 18th Senate district referred to Legislative Sick Leave benefits, his desire to eliminate them and the "cash" payouts. He also discussed this at Oshkosh Northwestern "Under the Dome" forum several weeks ago. At that one, I gave him the benefit of the doubt, with him not being a State Employee, the benefit is confusing. State Employees, including Legislators, Judges and all elected officials have the opportunity to accumulate sick leave. At retirement, whatever is accumulated is converted to a cash amount that is put toward health insurance. No one sees the cash--NO CASH RANDY! The majority of State Employees have to account for their time, and are required to report to someone when they are using sick leave. This is also accounted in some way, shape or form to payroll departments. Because of the nature of the legislature, they do not report when using sick time, and as result, many have accumulated large amounts of sick leave, especially those who have had a long tenure. Illnesses and hospitalizations have been reported, but, no sick leave used. So, there is some question about this benefit for elected officials. It should be added that the Republicans have enjoyed the benefit in the past just like Democrats. In fact, the benefit was created during Tommy Thompson's tenure as Governor.
Randy Hopper brought the issue up again last night. I thought it was time to correct him. After the forum, I introduced myself and told him where I worked. I asked him how he understood the benefit to work. He proceeded to tell me how Shirley Abramson and long term legislators have all this sick time built up. I told him that I understand the benefit, but, that he had some parts of it wrong, ie., NO CASH PAYOUT RANDY! I told him that it works the same for all state employees. Instead of letting me explain it, he asked me if I would agree with anything he said, then said that it was late and he wanted to go spend time with his family. His "handlers" immediately swarmed around him and he snottily walked off.
Well.........
If I wasn't fired up about this race before I am now. I guess I'm wondering if this is how Mr. Hopper intends to treat constituents should he, God forbid get elected. When someone talks to him about issues and they don't agree, perhaps he will kick them out of his office like a former State Representative did. Randy, here are some facts-- there are at least 2100 State Employees in the 18th Senate District. You will have to talk to us. And regarding your snotty behavior last night, at least 4 of them saw it.
Randy, it's time to take off the blinders and get some information outside of your carefully crafted Republican script. A State Senator needs to think on his feet, not expect handlers and staffers to take care of doing the work. Too many of your answers are either vague, scripted or you don't know, but I'll get to it with an answer on my web page. So is that answer posted on your web page really from you, or a staff person?
Also, legislator hours aren't very regular and you may have to spend long hours down in Madison. If you don't want to deal with an issue, are you just going to leave because its late?
This sure doesn't sound like a legislator I want to deal with and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure Jess King gets elected for State Senate in the 18th Senate.
--LC2
