Michigan Government Workers 100K Club Grows As State Stagnates

The Detriot News reports:

The number of people in state government's six-figure salary club has soared about 85 percent since the economic slide started eroding Michigan's budget in 2000.

The state payroll shows 700 employees are making more than $100,000 a year, compared to about 375 six years ago, according to a Detroit News analysis.

The review of records, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, also shows 1,919 state workers earn more than Michigan lawmakers, who at $79,650 are the second highest paid in the nation.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's $177,000 salary makes her the nation's second highest paid governor. But she finishes a distant second on the state payroll. The runaway leader is James Epolito, the new chief executive of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., who collects $200,000 a year.

"The state needs to have its wings clipped," said Rose Bogaert, chairwoman of the Wayne County Taxpayers Association, a watchdog group. "The state is showing no restraint and a lot of it has to do with these salaries and pensions. While people in public sector jobs are gaining, those losing jobs are in the private sector and they're the ones expected to pick up the bill."

Who said government workers are unpaid? While Michigan struggles the last couple of years, these government workers vote for politicians who can give them the big payday.There is a class struggle going on:those who work for the government and those who don't.