I think this is great. Five Democrat lawmakers have decided to donate their $140 per diem paychecks to a non-profit that helps unemployed Arizonans. They’re doing this because the legislature opted not to extend unemployment benefits from 79 weeks to 99 weeks.
According to the Arizona Capitol Times:
A handful of Democratic lawmakers held a press conference today to announce they are donating their special session paychecks to a nonprofit employment assistance organization and chastise their Republican colleagues for not extending federal unemployment benefits.
“It’s really difficult for people to find work these days. Some have even been forced into homelessness,” said Rep. Katie Hobbs, D-Phoenix.
Joining Hobbs in donating their $140 legislative paychecks to Arizona Community Voice Mail were House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, House Minority Whip Anna Tovar, Rep. Ruben Gallego and Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor.
I’m sure they’re all patting each other on the back for this cheap publicity stunt. But there’s a wonderful irony to the whole charade. Without realizing it, these do-gooders have shown how new spending can be offset by spending cuts in other areas.
If they want to further cut their salaries or axe any of their pet projects to extend unemployment benefits, then go for it.
Neil Rosekrans is a founder and partner of StateBrief.com. He has been a guest political commentator for the Arizona Law Channel, NBC's Sunday Square Off and The Terry Gilberg Show on KFYI. Neil earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and earned his MBA and Masters in Public Policy, with an emphasis in International Relations, from Pepperdine University.
Neil and his wife, Beth, live in Scottsdale, Arizona. 
