File this one under “it’s good for me but not for thee.”
While Congress has been flaying companies for giving out bonuses while on the government dole, lawmakers have a longstanding tradition of rewarding their own employees with extra cash — also courtesy of taxpayers.
Capitol Hill bonuses in 2008 were among the highest in years, according to LegiStorm, an organization that tracks payroll data. The average House aide earned 17% more in the fourth quarter of the year, when the bonuses were paid, than in previous quarters, according to the data. That was the highest jump in the eight years LegiStorm has compiled payroll information.
This next part’s my favorite:
Disbursement forms show that dozens of aides working for the Financial Services Committee got a bonus from panel Chairman Barney Frank. Spokesman Steven Adamske said the Massachusetts Democrat gives bonuses to staffers because “government workers are pretty low paid.” He said several aides who got bonuses had worked long hours during 2008 on the government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program.
The Financial Services Committee sure did a bang-up job last year, didn’t they? Ha!
