Local Legislators Differ on Taking Pay

Whether or not legislators should accept their paychecks while the state is shut down has become a hot topic around the Capitol, and the St. Louis Park delegation has gone different ways on the issue.

Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 44A) said he will forego his legislative salary as long as the state government is shut down, but Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44), says he has no qualms continuing to accept his. Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-District 44B) also reportedly declined his July pay, but he could not be reached for further comment.

Simon and Winkler are among 48 representatives out of 134 who declined July paychecks, according to a City Pages report. Latz is one of 53 senators continuing to take their salary, according to another City Pages report, although 14 of his colleagues have declined theirs while the shutdown goes on.

Legislators make $31,000 annually.

“I just thought, frankly, when the shutdown puts so many hardships on so many people, it didn’t feel right to take a paycheck,” Simon said. “It’s in part in solidarity (with laid off state workers).”

Simon said he isn’t judging anyone for taking—or not taking—their pay.

“It’s a personal decision,” the representative said. “I certainly don’t look down on anyone who does differently.”

Latz similarly declined to make these decisions an issue, although he pointed out that many senators from both parties are continuing to take their pay. He said his decision rested on when a legislator does most of his or her work.

"Most of the work that we do is between January and May when the legislature is in session," he said. "Even though our paychecks are spread out over the course of a whole year, the work that we perform is mostly done between January and May"

Latz suggested that some of his GOP colleagues might be feeling "guilty" about their role in the shutdown.

"My view is that since the Republicans control the legislature, they have the duty to ultimately pass a budget bill that the governor will sign," he said. "Just passing a bill they know the governor is going to veto does not meet their responsibility to enact a budget for the coming biennium.

"I don’t think I’ve failed in my responsibility as a legislator," he added. "I've been willing to negotiate over my preferences and compromise."