They have until the end of today to declare if they want to refuse the pay increase.

The proposed increase from $16,800 to $37,500 would give Louisiana’s lawmakers the highest base pay among Southern legislatures and the 14th highest in the country, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. 

Currently, legislators earn a base salary of $16,800 per year, plus $143 per day they’re in session.  The bill would raise the base salary to 30 percent of what members of Congress earn, or about $50,000 per year, plus the per diem.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said he opposes the measure but would not veto it.

Thought you might be interested in how Northwest Louisiana lawmakers voted on the payraise for themselves.  

For: Richard Burford of Stonewall; Roy Burrell of Shreveport; Thomas Carmody of Shreveport; Rick Gallot of Ruston; Barbara Norton of Shreveport; Patrick Williams of Shreveport.

Against: Henry Burns of Haughton; Jean Doerge of Minden; Jane Smith of Bossier City; and Wayne Waddell of Shreveport.

Absent: Jim Morris of Oil City

Here’s how it went:  Suzie:  “So, how’s my niece?”  HRB:  “Your niece has a penis.”  

Oh sure, we had plenty of girl’s names on deck, but we weren’t ready for this.   Boy’s names?  Got ‘em?  We really need your help! 

Me to my son:  “Casey, look!  It’s a cardinal.”

Casey:  “Mom, that’s not a cardinal.  That’s the pope.” 

Anyway, this is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen.  The pope, pictured on the left, gets food from the feeder in my backyard.  Then, he flies down to his girlfriend, pictured on the right, and feeds it to her. 

I know they’re girlfriend and boyfriend because Louisiana has not yet passed legislation to recognize holy matrimony between cardinals.  It probably has something to do with the whole clergy thing.

I need to watch stuff like this since returning to work after vacation abruptly reinstated stress in my life.