Resolution--Shared Sacrifice on Government Shutdowns

Senate votes unanimously to withhold members' pay during future government shutdowns

The United States Senate passed a resolution Thursday by unanimous consent to dock senators' pay during any future government shutdown, a move that came only after two record-setting funding lapses left federal workers scrambling and Americans fuming at a Congress that kept cashing its own checks.

The measure, sponsored by Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy, advanced Wednesday with a 99-0 vote before final adoption the following day. Under the resolution, senators' salaries will be held in escrow whenever a shutdown affects one or more federal agencies. The money gets released only after funding is restored.

It is a narrow fix to a broad problem. But for the first time, senators will face at least a taste of the financial disruption they have inflicted on millions of government employees through repeated failures to fund the agencies they oversee.

Kennedy, speaking on the Senate floor, did not mince words. As the Daily Mail reported, the Louisiana senator laid out the record bluntly:

"We ought to hide our heads in a bag. It's got to stop. Shutting down government, it should not be our default solution to our refusal to work out our issues and our differences."

"This is about shared sacrifice. If senators are going to vote to shut down the government and prevent millions of federal workers from getting paid, they ought to have the same skin in the game."

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It was Democrats who shut down the government twice...Last year, the majority of the federal government was shut down for 43 days. Then, just three months after that crisis ended, the Department of Homeland Security lost its funding for 76 days. Ridiculous.

Lake Worth Beach Looking for a City Manager

Lake Worth has raised the starting salary for a new City Manager

As of April 2026, Lake Worth Beach commissioners have authorized a salary range of $285,000 to $345,000 for the city's next city manager.

This high-end salary aim is designed to attract top-tier candidates, potentially making the position one of the highest-paid municipal executive roles in Palm Beach County.

Commissioners agreed last week to advertise a salary range of $285,000 to $345,000 for the full-time position, which has been held on an interim basis since January 2024 by Public Works Director Jamie Brown.

“The kind of city manager we are looking for, it’s not their first rodeo. We’re not hiring a newbie,’’ Commissioner Mimi May said at a commission meeting March 31.

“We are willing to pay for somebody with experience, with goals, with historic proof that they are able to take an idea from the beginning to end, that has the ability to be CEO of a multimillion-dollar budget city,’’ she said.

Palm Beach County Administrator Joe Abruzzo makes $425,000.

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As of October 2025, Jamie Brown was making $233,928 a year. He withdrew his name from the consideration due to lack of support. He would have been a great city manager.

Governor Abigail Spanberger conned the voters

Virginia Democrats Push Big Pay Hike FOR THEMSELVES

Lawmakers in blue state Virginia are facing fresh criticism this week. A budget amendment would more than double legislative pay. It comes as Democrats in Richmond pursue a slate of tax increases and new levies.

The pay plan is tied to SB30. It was introduced in the state Senate by L. Louise Lucas and in the House by Vivian Edna Watts. The amendment would raise pay in both chambers by about 150%.

That math means current salaries would jump substantially. Supporters argue it helps attract diverse candidates and offsets rising costs. Opponents say it’s tone-deaf while families juggle higher bills and new taxes.

Republican critics have been blunt. “They ran on ‘affordability,’ but all they’ve done is introduce insane left-wing policies and take from your pocket to line their own. TOTAL CON JOB!”

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They are under-paid and this raise will not take effect until 2028.

Salary Congress made during Democrat Shutdown

Lawmakers Cashed $20K Each During Record Shutdown

Members of Congress collected more than $20,000 apiece during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, even as millions of Americans went without pay and essential services.

President Donald Trump ended the U.S. record-long, 43-day standoff Wednesday night after a small group of moderate Democrats broke ranks to join Republicans in passing a short-term funding measure.

The White House estimates the shutdown inflicted roughly $15 billion in weekly economic damage, with 60,000 private-sector jobs lost.

While 1.3 million active-duty service members, over 750,000 Guard and Reserve troops, and roughly 1.4 million federal workers faced furloughs or worked without pay, lawmakers continued receiving their constitutionally protected salaries.

*Some lawmakers declined or donated their checks, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

*Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., blocked a bipartisan proposal to suspend congressional pay during shutdowns.

*Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., did not accept his salary, his office said.

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A U.S. Representative makes an annual salary of $174,000, while leaders have higher pay: the Speaker of the House earns $223,500, and House Majority and Minority Leaders earn $193,400. These figures are the same for members of both the House and the Senate, and are the base salary before any additional allowances are considered.

Anonymous donor gives $130 million to pay our military during Schumer Shutdown

Donor Gives $130 Million to Cover Shortfall in Troop Pay During Shutdown

Trump said the donor, who sent the check on Thursday, did not want to be named

“He called us the other day and he said, ‘I'd like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown. I’d like to contribute, personally, contribute any shortfall you have with the military, because I love the military and I love the country, and any shortfall, if there’s a shortfall, I’ll contribute it,’’’ Trump said during a roundtable meeting with his Cabinet.

Trump said the donor—a friend of his—sent the federal government a $130 million check on Thursday, but that the man doesn’t want to be named.

“He doesn’t really want the recognition, if you want to know the truth, but he gave us a check for $130 million, which was sort of a shortfall, and that’s going to go to the military,” the president said.

Deemed as essential, excepted federal workers are directed to continue working during any lapses in government funding. They work without pay during the shutdown and receive back pay only after the government is funded again.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) moved the bill forward on Oct. 21, setting up the vote on Oct. 23. The legislation failed in the Senate on Thursday, coming short of the 60 votes needed to advance in a 54–45 vote.

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Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego refuses to forgo salary during Democrat Shutdown

‘I’m Not Wealthy’: Democrat Refuses To Forgo Pay During Shutdown As His Own Staff Goes Unpaid

Democrats drove the federal government into a shutdown at 12:01 am Wednesday after blocking a GOP spending bill, but at least one Democratic lawmaker says he won’t be giving up his paycheck.

Roughly 750,000 employees will be furloughed during the shutdown, according to the Congressional Budget Office. But Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona told NBC News that he won’t forgo his $174,000 congressional salary, which lawmakers continue to collect during shutdowns under Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution.

“I’m not wealthy and I have three kids. I would basically be missing, you know, mortgage payments, rent payments, child support,” Gallego told NBC News. “So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”

Congressional staffers are not paid during the funding lapse, though they will receive back pay once the government reopens.

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Stress in the Workplace being addressed in California

Don't bug me after hours!

Proposed Cali Law To Stop Salaried Workers From Employer Contacted Them After Hours

In California, there’s a new piece of legislation under consideration that could transform the work-life balance for salaried employees by making it illegal for bosses to contact them after hours for non-emergency reasons.

This bill, introduced by State Assemblymember Matt Haney, aims to address the pervasive issue of work-related stress exacerbated by the constant connectivity enabled by modern technology.

If passed, the legislation would enforce a minimum fine of $100 for each violation, establishing a legal “right to disconnect” for employees.

Imagine working late and sending an email to an employee for the next day and you get fined.

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California passed a law to pay fast-food workers $20.00 an hour. Hard to imagine. No one will be able to buy a McDonalds burger and now salaried employees can't be contacted after hours by their bosses.

Biden Approves pay raise for Federal Employees

Biden Approves Largest Pay Raise for Federal Employees Since Carter Administration

As you read this, you are probably wondering when the economic pain of the Biden administration will end.

If you are like most of us, your wages are being outpaced by inflation and your bank account has yet to stop moving backward since Biden took office.

Well, get ready for that pain to hurt a little more because Biden has decided to give federal workers a big, fat pay raise, the biggest they have received in decades. AND GUESS WHAT--You, the taxpayer is paying for it.

“Executing on the President’s 5.2 percent pay increase for both military and civilian workers recognizes the Federal workforce’s dedication and service to the American people and positions the Federal Government to better compete in the labor market to attract and retain a well-qualified workforce.”

Just to put this into perspective, the average federal worker has a salary of $98,943, while the average private industry worker has a salary of about $58,000, and our taxes pay their salaries.

Read about it...

Jamie Brown, Lake Worth Beach Interim City Manager

Jamie Brown, Interim City Manager

COMPENSATION

A. Base Salary. CITY agrees to pay EMPLOYEE for services rendered as the Interim City Manager at the base annual salary of $212,180.02. The Base Salary shall be paid in installments at the same time as other employees of the CITY are paid. Base Salary payments are not due for any periods of unpaid leave, including disciplinary suspensions, in accordance with applicable wage and hour laws.

B. Benefits.

• 1. Vacation Leave: EMPLOYEE shall continue to accrue and use Vacation Leave in accordance with CITY policies applicable to all other non-bargaining employees, as amended from time to time. EMPLOYEE’s existing accrued and unused vacation leave balance shall remain available for use during the Term. However, during the Term EMPLOYEE shall not use vacation leave for more than five (5) consecutive business days. This provision shall not limit the total number of vacation days that may be used during the Term.

• 2. Sick Leave: EMPLOYEE shall continue to accrue and use Sick Leave in accordance with CITY policies applicable to all other non-bargaining employees, as amended from time to time. EMPLOYEE’s existing accrued and unused Sick Leave balance shall remain available for use during the Term.

• 3. Insurance: EMPLOYEE, his spouse and dependents, if any, shall be entitled to and enjoy inclusion in the CITY’s Dental Insurance Program, Health Insurance Program, Vision Care Program, and other insurance benefits that may be offered in the same manner and under the same provisions and benefits as other CITY employees, as the same exists or may be amended from time to time by the CITY.

• 4. Retirement/Pension: EMPLOYEE is presently a member of CITY’s Pension Plan and shall remain in the Plan during the Term.

• 5. Vehicle Allowance: EMPLOYEE will receive a car allowance of $500.00 a month.

• 6. Executive/Director Administrative Leave: EMPLOYEE shall continue to receive and be eligible to use Administrative Leave in accordance with the CITY’s Executive/Director Administrative Leave policy, as amended from time to time. EMPLOYEE’s existing unused Administrative Leave balance shall remain available for use during the Term in accordance with the policy.

• 7. Cellular Telephone: EMPLOYEE shall continue to retain the use of the previously issued CITY cellular telephone and related service. EMPLOYEE shall be solely responsible for tax consequences, if any, as required by the Internal Revenue Service.

• 8. Additional Benefits: To the extent any Benefit is not specifically listed herein to which EMPLOYEE is presently eligible, EMPLOYEE shall remain eligible for such Benefit(s). Any further and additional benefits which are provided to other CITY employees now or in the future shall be provided to the EMPLOYEE.

Congressional optional annual subsidy for housing and meal expenses

Congress Gives Themselves Another Massive Pay Perk

Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Millionaire Lawmakers!

Congress has sneakily awarded itself a $34,000 “pay raise”! This shocking revelation reveals how lawmakers, many of whom are millionaires, have exploited an internal rule change to pocket additional funds – all at the expense of hard-pressed taxpayers.

The underhanded maneuver allows Congress members to dip into an optional annual subsidy for their housing and meal expenses in Washington, D.C. Over 200 lawmakers, including 113 Democrats and 104 Republicans, have already taken full advantage of this questionable perk. This audacity has cost taxpayers a staggering $1.4 million for just the first half of 2023!

The biggest offender? The dubious honor of receiving the largest share of funds goes to Rep. Matt Gaetz, who billed taxpayers nearly $17,000 from January through May for his D.C. living expenses.

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Dr. Fauci--highly compensated in Salary and Retirement

It pays to take a government job but this is really out of this world!

Fauci's government pension would be largest in US history at $350,000-plus per year

"If octogenarian COVID-19 czar Anthony Fauci ever decides to retire, he should have plenty of income to enjoy what's left of his golden years.

The doctor will be making at least $350,000 per year after he leaves his job as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Fauci could have retired in 2005 but stayed in his job, which is now paying $434,312 a year, the highest of any federal employee, including President Joe Biden."

Read about the good doctor

Al Sharpton says, "I deserved the raise!"

Al Sharpton Paid $1 Million by His Own Charity in 2018

"They say that charity begins in the home and Rev Al Sharpton has taken that quite literally as his charity, National Action Network (NAN), paid him over one million dollars last year.

Sharpton was paid $1,046,948 by the non-profit, and he also got “a $324,000 salary — 32% higher than his 2017 pay. Sharpton claims that most of the money was to make up for previous years in which he did not accept his full pay.

Rev Al still owes still owes $698,470.99 in back taxes to the state of New York. Will the money be used to pay off his taxes or will the taxes on this money be added to what he owes?"

Read about Sharpie Sharpton

We're always wondering how these elected officials get wealthy while in office.

City Manager Michael Bornstein Review

It’s been two years since Lake Worth Beach’s City Manager has undergone a review — why?

Michael Bornstein's salary/performance review was on the agenda 1.5 years ago or so. Can't remember the date as the city's web site gives zero information now, and that's another subject for another day. I remembered that it was pulled for some unknown reason to all of us. Bornstein said in an interview that it was because of the pending elections with the suggestion it would interfere some how.

Michael Bornstein was hired in 2012 at $135,000 a year and his employment with the City began on April 16, 2012. He had some stiff competition with Jamie Titcomb who got the support from two commissioners at that time. Jamie is now the city manager of Loxahatchee Groves. Bornstein originally received a three year contract.

In 2013, he got a yearly review.  Scott Maxwell gave him a 3.5 overall in assisting the Commission in its policy role.  In April 2015, Scott Maxwell made the motion to give Mike Bornstein a five year contract and $145,000 a year. In February, 2017, there was an evaluation of the City Manager that was taken off the Agenda but he got a raise in June, bumping his salary to $169,000, a $24,000 yearly raise. One of the reasons mentioned for the salary hike at that time was the $40 million bond project for our road repairs that was "his" achievement. (Didn't the residents vote on that one?)

The original contract of 2012 said that the Commission would agree to review his base salary and increase that salary as the City commission deemed appropriate. Now there is mention of a review so it must be an "appropriate" time once again.  Palm Beach Post article...

Trump donates salary to DHS

As promised, President Trump donated his quarterly salary again, this time to DHS. Liberal weenies go apeshit, MSM goes silent

Read about it...

Do they earn their bucks?

A little Trivia:

The House and Senate are expected to be in session for fewer days in 2019 than they were in 2018.

• The Senate is scheduled to meet for 168 days in 2019 vs 186 days in 2018

• The House is scheduled to meet for 130 days v 171 in 2018.

From 2001 to 2018, the Senate spent an average of 165 days in session each year, and the House spent an average of 140 days in session. [Ballotpedia]

Congress: Leadership Members' Salary (2018)

Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members.

Senate Leadership

Majority Party Leader - $193,400
Minority Party Leader - $193,400

House Leadership

Speaker of the House - $223,500
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400 [ThoughtCo]

Read about all the Congressional benefits

Mayor of Wellington speaks to Republican Club

I attended the Republican Club of Central Palm Beach County Meeting last night.  The keynote speaker was Anne Gerwig, mayor of Wellington. She talked about the structure of city governments and how they operate.

A few interesting bits of trivia that were revealed in her talk--



WELLINGTON
Wellington commissioners are term-limited--two terms
Salaries are $800 a month with a stipend of $45 monthly for dry-cleaning.
Wellington pays $9 million a year for PBSO
There are approximately 62,000 residents
Land mass is 45.25 square miles

LAKE WORTH
Lake Worth commissioners are NOT term limited and they now serve three year terms
Lake Worth commissioners make $24,500 a year with the Mayor making $29,500 plus they get $6,000 a year for a car allowance.
Lake Worth pays over $15 million a year for PBSO
There are approximately 37,000 residents
Land mass is 5.88 square miles. Including the water, it is 6.67 square miles

Commissioners and their "stipends"

Riviera votes to end individual $12,000 stipends for council

That is the headline in today's Palm Beach Post on the front page.

Apparently in Riviera Beach, if its commission wants a raise, it has to go by the voters.  But call it a "stipend" and you get away with it. Aren't elected officials clever? That's why municipalities pay big bucks to their city attorneys.

Here in Lake Worth, this commission of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso voted themselves in a whopping raise--$10,100 more for a commissioner or $24,500 a year and an additional $14,100 for mayor bringing that salary up to $29,500. Plus they all get $6,000 a year for a car allowance  I won't even mention all the benefits such as medical, life insurance, etc. The commissioners who voted against this were McVoy and Maier.

They work so hard at ribbon cuttings and figuring out how to screw up good things like our beach and pool and have made this job more part-time than ever--only one commission meeting in November, December and January. And everything is thrown on the Consent Agenda.  They don't even have to discuss spending your money, unless, of course, you are Commissioner Hardy who wants to grandstand on guns and sanctuary city status and put the city through a stupid ordeal.

Now tomorrow they are having a charette about our beach complex saying they want community input. No they don't--they already know what they're going to do to our beach.

Taxpayers fund extravagant lifestyles of former Presidents

House passes bill to make BIG CUTS to taxpayer spending on former Presidents

Read about it...

Trump Donates Salary

President Trump donated the first few months of his White House salary to Antietam National Battlefield, the national park in Maryland that preserves the hallowed ground of the bloodiest day of the Civil War, the government said Wednesday. [Washington Times]