AUSTIN -- They like to call themselves citizen legislators. But there may not be a part-time job anywhere in America that comes with the kinds of perks that members of the Texas Legislature can collect.
With just 12 years of service, they can retire at age 50, get state-paid healthcare and collect a yearly pension nearly five times greater than their salary, records show. Yes, that salary is a paltry $7,200 a year, but lawmakers also get an extra $19,460 in "per diem" payments while in regular session at current per diem rates, which go up annually.
The perks start to add up once you throw in the free parking, the wining and dining from lobbyists, and all the campaign money used for living expenses, critics say. Many say the notion that lawmakers work part time is outdated, arguing that they should get fewer perks in exchange for a reasonable -- and transparent -- benefit package.
"Without a doubt, legislators have found ways to compensate themselves for their years of service. They have hidden hefty pensions and their medical benefits from public view as well," said Tom "Smitty" Smith, head of the state branch of Public Citizen, a liberal watchdog group.
"What we favor is paying them $75,000 a year, reducing their retirement and eliminating the abilities to use campaign funds to help support them while in office."
Another lawmaker, Rep. Hubert Vo, D-Houston, is also swimming against the tide with legislation tying their pensions to the salaries of Texas teachers. Right now the pensions are tied to what state district judges get, so when legislators raised those salaries in 2005 to $125,000 a year, they increased their own pensions by 23 percent.
Free health insurance
Lawmakers also get full healthcare benefits, both as active members and in retirement. As they consider cutting back state healthcare benefits to the poor this year, 100 percent of the cost of their own health insurance premiums will be picked up by Texas taxpayers, records show.
And though wining and dining aren't listed in the official benefit package of the "elected class," as legislators are formally known within the state retirement system, that also comes with the job. They and their staffers collectively receive millions of dollars in free meals, drinks, travel junkets, lodging and gifts from the special-interest lobby, records show.
Aaron Pena needs to get re-elected to get his pension and free health insurance. It's not about helping dist. 40. It's about getting $50,000 a year for the rest of his life.
