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Eagles welcome transfer defender for 2023

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Defender Giovanna Starman signs with USI Women’s Soccer

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer announced the signing of transfer defender Giovanna Starman (O’Fallon, Missouri) for the 2023 season. Starman joins 12 other additions to the roster by USI Head Coach Eric Schoenstein ahead of the 2023 season.

“We’re excited to welcome Gia to the USI soccer family,” Schoenstein said. “We’re lucky to add Gia to our already talented group of incoming student-athletes.”

Starman, a 5’6″ defender, comes to USI after spending her freshman season at Missouri State University. The Missouri State Bears were the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference tournament champions. Starman played in 75 minutes at Missouri State last season.

“Gia brings great skill and athleticism to our backline,” Schoenstein added. “Gia is a quality distributor out of the back and a shutdown defender.”

The O’Fallon, Missouri native played for Fort Zumwalt North High School, where she was named all-conference and a four-time all-academic award winner. She tallied eight assists in her senior year in 2021-22. Starman also recorded three goals and four assists in her previous two high school seasons.

Starman played her club soccer for Sporting STL Red Devils GA 2004.

USI Women’s Soccer heads into its second season as an NCAA Division I program in 2023, coming off a postseason berth in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament. The 2023 schedule will be released at a later date.

‘BOLTS BATTLE THEIR WAY TO 4-2 WIN IN BIRMINGHAM

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Pelham, Ala.:  After falling behind 2-1 in the second period, the resilient Thunderbolts scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Birmingham Bulls 4-2 on Thursday night in Pelham and enter a tie for 1st place in the SPHL standings.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Saturday, January 7th against the Peoria Rivermen at 7:00pm CT.  For tickets, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), go to EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or visit the Ford Center Ticket Office.

The first period was void of any goals or penalties, while the second period began with a goal from Scott Kirton, assisted by Brendan Harrogate and Mike Ferraro to give Evansville the first lead at 1:29.  Minutes later at 4:37, Mike Davis tied the game for Birmingham, and at 12:01 Zac Masson scored to give the Bulls a 2-1 lead.  In the last second of play in the second period, Aaron Huffnagle flipped the puck from behind the net, and it bounced into the net off the back of Birmingham goaltender Hayden Stewart to tie the game at two-apiece, assisted by Fredrik Wink and Matthew Hobbs at 19:59.

In the third period, Kirton scored unassisted on a partial breakaway to give the Thunderbolts their second lead of the game, 3-2 at 1:43.  After several close calls in the Evansville zone that were nullified by both Thunderbolts goaltender Trevor Gorsuch and the Evansville defensemen, the Bulls pulled Stewart in the final two minutes for one last attempt at tying the game.  From almost 200 feet, James Isaacs scored the empty net goal with 48 seconds remaining to seal the 4-2 Evansville victory.

                Kirton scored two goals, while Huffnagle and Isaacs finished with one goal each.  Trevor Gorsuch stopped 45 of 47 shots faced for his 3rd win of the season.  These two teams meet again on January 13th at Pelham Civic Complex.

 

USI runs out of time at Morehead

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MOREHEAD, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball fought to the final seconds, but ran out of time in falling to Morehead State University, 84-80, Thursday evening at the Johnson Arena in Morehead, Kentucky. The Screaming Eagles go to 8-8 overall and 1-2 in the OVC, while the Morehead Eagles are 9-7, 2-1 OVC.
 
USI dominated the first five minutes of the game, building an early 10-point lead, 19-9. Morehead closed the gap quickly within three minutes on a 9-2 surge, 21-18, before USI boosted the lead back to seven with four quick points, 25-18.
 
The USI Eagles would get the lead back to seven points one more time, 29-22, before a 14-7 Morehead run cut the gap to one point, 37-36, at the intermission.
 
Morehead continued to build off the late first half run by outscoring USI, 30-17, in the first 12 minutes of the second half to lead by 12 points, 66-54. USI closed the gap to seven-points, 69-62, with 5:20 to play on a steal and dunk by senior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio).
 
After Morehead re-extended the lead to as many as 11 points in the final five minutes, the USI Eagles would try to rally in the final minutes with a 15-9 run, getting to within a bucket, 82-80, with 1.5 seconds left before running out of time in the 84-80 final. Sophomore guard Jeremiah Hernandez (Chicago, Illinois) led USI during the final push with seven of the 15 points.
 
Individually, USI was led on the scoreboard by the 25-point performance of sophomore guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana). Swope, who has averaged 18.5 points per game over the last four games, posted his 25 points on eight of 17 from the field, four-of-eight from long range, and five-of-seven from the stripe.
 
Swope was followed by three other USI players in double-digits. Graduate forward Trevor Lakes (Lebanon, Indiana) was second with 11 points, nine coming on three-point field goals, while senior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and Hernanez rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points each.
 
Polakovich grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds to lead USI and complete his fifth double-double of the season. The senior forward also has seven double-figure rebound games this season.  
 
Next Up For USI:
USI comes home to the friendly surroundings of Screaming Eagles Arena Saturday when it hosts Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for a 7:30 p.m. game. The games will be streamed on ESPN+ in addition to being heard on ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com) and 95.7FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com).
 
SIUE saw its record go to 11-5 overall and 2-1 in the OVC after defeating Tennessee State University, 81-72, this evening at home. The Cougars were led by sophomore guard Damarco Minor, who had 18 points in the win.
 
SIUE sophomore guard Ray’Sean Taylor leads the Cougars for the season with 14.0 points per game.
 
The USI-SIUE matchup Thursday is the resumption of a series that temporarily ended after the 2007-08 season when the Cougar left the GLVC. SIUE won the last meeting of the two programs in 2007-08, 70-58, but USI had won three of the last four.
 
USI has split the last 10 meetings with SIUE, but is 15-5 against the Cougars in the last 20 games. The Eagles have the longest winning streak in the series, winning 13-straight games between the 1997-98 and the 2003-04 seasons.
 

USI comes up just short in tight, road contest

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MOREHEAD, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball went down to the wire on the road against Morehead State University Thursday evening, battling in a one-point game in the last minute, but the Morehead State Eagles withstood the Screaming Eagles’ late push to take a 64-61 win.
 
Southern Indiana had three players finish in double figures Thursday, as junior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) led all scorers with 18 points on 6-12 shooting. For Raley, she bounced back after being held to four points last Saturday at Eastern Illinois University. Thursday was her first game scoring 15 or more since she posted 20 points in a win at Wright State University on December 17. Raley also added six rebounds on Thursday.
 
The Screaming Eagles came out of the gates with a strong start in the contest, attacking the paint. USI jumped out to a 10-0 lead through the first four minutes. Senior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) and Raley each scored four early points in the fast start for USI.
 
Following a called timeout, Morehead State responded out of the huddle. With USI ahead 14-5 and 3:47 remaining in the first quarter, Morehead State went on a 7-0 run to narrow the deficit. Southern Indiana carried a 17-15 lead into the second period.
 
Midway into the second quarter, Southern Indiana pushed the lead back up to five, 25-20, after back-to-back baskets from senior forward Tara Robbe (Wildwood, Missouri) and sophomore guard Vanessa Shafford.
 
USI’s defense held Morehead State without a field goal in the last four minutes of the first half, leading to a 31-27 advantage for Southern Indiana at the intermission. Haithcock led all scorers with 10 points at the break, connecting on a jumper near the end of the second quarter.
 
A minute into the third quarter, Morehead State was able to score six unanswered to flip the scoreboard and take the lead, 33-31. Over the course of the third period, the scoring and lead went back and forth with neither team able to take a stronghold of the momentum.
 
With the score tied 40-40 at the 2:40 mark, both sides finished the third period without a make from the field. Morehead State grabbed the lead by the end of the quarter after outscoring USI 5-2 from the free-throw line during the last two and a half minutes. Morehead State took a 45-42 lead to the fourth.
 
Raley made a big three-pointer for USI a minute into the fourth period, connecting from deep straightaway to trim Morehead State’s lead down to 47-45. The Morehead State Eagles responded with two makes from the floor to make the score 51-45 in favor of Morehead State.
 
As the clock read under four minutes left to play in the fourth, Morehead State led 56-51, but Shafford came through with a basket and the foul for USI to cut the score down to two, 56-54. Then coming down to the final 90 seconds, senior guard Tori Handley (Jeffersonville, Indiana) got a steal that led to a basket by Haithcock to make it a one-point, 61-60 ballgame. However, Morehead State closed out the win by scoring a late layup and a free throw.
 
Haithcock and Shafford were the other two double-digit scorers for USI Thursday. Haithcock registered 14 points on three makes from the field and an 8-for-8 night at the line. She also had seven rebounds. Shafford recorded 12 points with five boards.
 
Robbe also had another solid outing, matching a season-high for the fifth time this season with nine points on a perfect 4-for-4 night from the floor. All five nine-point games for Robbe have come in road games. The senior also pulled down five rebounds Thursday.
 
USI went 20-for-51 for 39 percent from the field in the contest, including two three-pointers made. The Screaming Eagles were frequent visitors to the charity stripe Thursday, going 19-for-25 for 76 percent.
 
For Morehead State, senior guard Veronica Charles led the Eagles with 12 points, while junior guard Sandra Lin had 11 points and freshman guard Hallie Rhodes had 10 points.
 
Morehead State was 23-for-57 for 40 percent overall, including five triples. The Eagles were 13-for-25 for 52 percent at the line. Morehead State outrebounded USI 40-31 in the game, claiming 15 offensive rebounds.
 

Gov. Holcomb unveils 2023 Next Level Agenda

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Darron Cummings/AP/Shutterstock (11717541e) Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb delivers his State of the State address virtually, in Indianapolis State of the State, Indianapolis, United States - 19 Jan 2021

Gov. Holcomb unveils 2023 Next Level Agenda

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced as part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda he will pursue transformational changes to the way public health is delivered in Indiana, historic investments in K-12 education – including fully funding the cost of textbooks for Indiana students and new literacy initiatives, and – even stronger economic development tools to capture key economic development projects, and investing another $500 million in the successful READI program

“By making lasting investments in our health, education and workforce we are building a stronger tomorrow for all Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “First and foremost, we will protect our fiscal strength of Indiana by adopting our 10th straight honestly balanced budget which allows us to strategically prioritize public health, education, workforce, as well as economic and community development to elevate Indiana to the Next Level and provide citizens and their families the tools they need to not just survive but thrive for generations to come.”

Governor Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda details, both legislative and administrative priorities, can be found in five key categories.

Health and Wellbeing

The governor is committed to fundamentally improving Hoosier health outcomes by providing the necessary resources and service delivery. He will pursue implementation of the Governor’s Public Health Commission recommendations, including a budget request for $120 million for state fiscal year 2024 and $227 million in 2025, with most of the dollars available to county officials. The increased funding will be used to:

  • Provide sustainable core public health service investments in all 92 counties
  • Standardize governance, infrastructure and services to all 92 counties.
  • Establish a State Health Workforce Council to help develop a framework for state health employees
  • Maintain a state health office of data and analytics to integrate public health data for quality improvement and disease prevention
  • Invest in emergency preparedness through EMS training and readiness and maintain a state strategic stockpile of supplies
  • Promote access to child and adolescent health screenings

Better access to mental health services continues to be a priority in the 2023 Next Level Agenda. The governor has initiated a three-pillar crisis prevention and response system to provide Hoosiers with someone to contact, someone to respond and a safe place for help. In addition to improving and expanding the 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline services the state is:

  • Piloting four mobile crisis teams in 15 counties to ensure there is someone to respond. The number of crisis teams will continue to grow in 2023 and beyond
  • Developing crisis stabilization units by awarding grants for pilot programs to ensure Hoosiers have a safe place to go to receive help
  • Continuing the transition to a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic system to increase the availability of quality mental health services and continuing to reduce wait times in the state psychiatric hospital network
  • Implementing the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among veterans and service members by investing $4.25 million over the next two years to promote veteran wellness, reduce risk, increase protection and improve effective treatment and recovery

Gov. Holcomb will continue to provide necessary resources to combat the drug epidemic. In 2023, the governor will launch a new Treatment Finder Program to connect Hoosiers battling addiction with the appropriate treatment. The state, along with local partners, will begin to invest the more than $500 million the state will receive in the coming years from the national opioid settlement to create more community substance use programs to help those suffering from addiction.

Education and Workforce

Since 2017 Gov. Holcomb has made historic investments in education and his 2023 agenda elevates education and workforce, again, to the Next Level.

K-12

Gov. Holcomb intends to make more historic investment in K-12 education. The governor is proposing the following:

  • Increase tuition support by 6% in FY2024 and 2% in FY2025 equaling $1.157 billion. Gov. Holcomb will push for additional dollars to go to the classroom to continue the effort to increase average teacher salaries to at least $60,000 a year. The average teacher salary now is $56,600
  • Collaborate with legislators to establish a $20 million incentive program that rewards schools and teachers that improve students’ passing rate for IREAD3. The Indiana Department of Education’s goal is that 95 percent of students in third grade demonstrate reading proficiency skills by 2027
  • Secure $10 million in state funding to obtain another $10 million match from the Lilly Endowment to continue the state’s investment in literacy through the Science of Reading
  • Prohibit textbook and curricular material fees for Indiana K-12 families. Indiana is one of seven states that allows families to be charged for textbooks
  • Fully fund the cost of textbooks and other curriculum materials for more than 1 million students at all traditional public and charter schools and eligible students in non-public schools. Cost is approximately $160 million per year.
  • Ask the General Assembly to approve legislation that directs DOE to conduct a full review of other fees that public schools charge families
  • Work to ensure high-quality STEM curriculum is in every Indiana classroom
  • Implement the Dolly Parton Imagination Library statewide. The program provides every child from birth to 5-years-old with one book each month. The state’s share of the program is estimated to be $4.1 million in the first two years

Higher Education

The governor recommends investing in higher education by committing to a 6% increase in year one and a 2% increase in year two, totaling $184 million of the biennial budget. His support comes with the charge that a portion of the new funding will be based on performance goals for retaining graduating students in Indiana. Gov. Holcomb supports the Commissioner for Higher Education in its goal of auto-enrolling eligible students in the 21st Century Scholarship Program.

The governor will also ask for a one-time $10 million budget commitment to Martin University to support the only Predominately Black Institution in Indiana and boost the support of graduation by more first-generation college and low-income minority students.

Early Learning

The governor will also expand eligibility for Child Care and Development Fund vouchers and work with legislators to expand On My Way Pre K eligibility by raising the income eligibility limits for the programs from 127% to 138% of the federal poverty limit. This change will expand program access to about 5,000 more lower income working families. Federal funds will be used through September 2024, with an estimated state impact of $15 million annually after that.

The Family and Social Services Administration will use $25 million in federal funds to develop an innovative grant program to encourage employer-sponsored childcare to provide more onsite options for working caregivers.

Workforce

Gov. Holcomb is committed to providing Hoosiers with more opportunities to obtain the skills they need to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. The agenda proposes more investment in adult education to reduce the number of working age adults without a high school diploma or workforce training. He will seek to do the following:

  • Invest in Department of Workforce Development (DWD) adult education training by requesting an additional $12 million over two years for education programs. This will help eliminate a waiting list of 8,000 people who are seeking more training opportunities
  • Expand the evidence-based model of Excel Center programs in several cities by increasing funding by $3 million in 2024 and $11 million in 2025
  • Increase funding from $1 million to $1.5 million annually for the Graduation Alliance, an online education program for adults to achieve a diploma or credential
  • Support the development of a DWD Unemployment Insurance pilot program that incentivizes recipients to complete their diploma or equivalency. Estimated cost is $4.4 million annually
  • Support the Workforce Ready Grant by increasing the investment to $6 million a year at DWD, $6 million a year at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and maintaining the Employer Training Grant investment at $17 million annually
  • Facilitate relocating veterans to Indiana through INVETS by doubling funding to $2 million annually

Economic Development

To build upon the record-breaking year of capturing $22.2 billion in committed capital investment, the agenda focuses on diversifying the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) toolkit to remain competitive for future growth. Gov. Holcomb commits to do the following:

  • Formalize a $300 million per year deal closing fund and an additional $300 million per year tax credit cap to give the state the flexibility and competitive edge to attract new businesses and jobs
  • Establish an ongoing revolving fund of $150 million for site acquisition efforts
  • Expand the Manufacturing Readiness Grant Program by doubling the funding to $40 million over two years to support the growth of existing businesses
  • Increase Indiana Destination Development Corporation’s funding by $20 million to attract visitors and retain students as they transition to the workforce

Community Development

Connections

The 2023 Next Level Agenda seeks to better connect Hoosiers to their neighbors, communities and beyond. Gov. Holcomb will request an additional $500 million to fund another round of the Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative (READI). READI has become a nationally recognized innovative program that brings communities together to build for their future.

Gov. Holcomb remains committed to expanding the state’s trails system and adding to our land conservation program. The governor is requesting an additional $50 million for Next Level Trails to continue the historic pursuit of becoming the most trail friendly state in the country, and he will request $25 million for additional land conservation efforts.

The state will move forward with a fourth round of Next Level Connections to address broadband service gaps. $70 million in state and federal funds remain. Indiana also is developing a plan in anticipation of the release of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to continue to bring quality and affordable service to all corners of the state.

The state will continue its partnership with the state’s food bank network by increasing funding from $1 million to $2 million each year.

Public Safety

Supporting public safety to maintain safe communities and schools will continue to be a priority in 2023. The governor will work with legislators to improve school safety by increasing the Secured School Safety Grant Fund to $25 million, expanding the ways schools can use the grants, and aligning policies across all public schools. Indiana has invested nearly $133 million in grants to improve school safety in the past nine years.

To support Indiana State Police and other agency law enforcement officials Gov. Holcomb will propose raising the starting salary of state police troopers to $70,000. The current starting salary of $53,690 is significantly below other law enforcement agencies in the state according to a study completed by the Indiana State Police Alliance.

The governor will also propose a $24.2 million investment in a regional firefighter training infrastructure to provide a consistent and standardized firefighting training model across the state. The governor is directing the Department of Homeland Security to enhance existing training sites and create new ones to help cover the training gaps that exist in some areas of Indiana. In addition, the state will invest $10 million over the next five years to purchase needed equipment and gear for volunteer firefighting organizations.

Good Government

The 2023 agenda will include $160 million budget request to fund the state employee compensation pay study which was implemented in late 2022 to attract and retain state employees who provide critical services to Hoosiers in all 92 counties.

Additionally, the governor will request funding in the current fiscal year to follow through on the commitment to complete the following four capital projects: new Westville Correctional Facility; new state archives building; co-location of the state’s blind and deaf schools, and a new state park inn at Potato Creek State Park.

MEET RYAN McROBERTS NEW BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE IBEW LOCAL 16

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MEET RYAN McROBERTS NEW BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE IBEW LOCAL 16

JANUARY 6, 2023

Ryan McRoberts, Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 16) joined the union at just 20 years old.

McRoberts realized the importance of a union after working jobs that did not have one. He and other co-workers had pushed for a union.

Mcroberts said He wanted the protection and benefits unions to help provide.

He joined IEWB Local 16 in 2001 and graduated from the electrician’s program in 2006.

“Brotherhood is in our name. I always say we are the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the brotherhood is the most important part of what we are,” said McRoberts. “I get to see the benefits of that brotherhood every day.”

McRoberts worked in the field as an electrician for 17 years. He has always felt that attending union meetings and being involved was important.

“IBEW Local 16 has provided a great opportunity for me and my family,” said McRoberts. “The very least that I can do to pay it back was to support what the Local needed.”

His drive to be involved led to his current position. Before becoming Business Manager, McRoberts served as an officer, treasurer, executive board member, organizer and business agent. Mcroberts said he never imagined how much work goes into helping electricians with contracts, benefits, and much more.

“There’s always phone calls, texts, and emails,” said McRoberts. “It’s not an 8-5 job. It is all hours, all days. You never know what you are going to be getting into each day.”

The work is rewarded by knowing he is helping the members of his brotherhood. Mcroberts said it is rewarding to protect their work, find new customers for them and create a good environment for them to be a part of.

McRoberts, see’s recruitment as another rewarding area of the work he does. He noted that the differences unions make change people’s lives by providing support and protection.

“It is really kind of sad when you see what some people are working for out there, doing the same work as our members,” said McRoberts.

McRoberts is married and a father to three kids. He also coaches baseball. He always works around his busy schedule to make time for his family. McRoberts said things as simple as taking his daughter to school allow him a few more minutes of quality time.

“Short of my wife and kids, the IBEW Local 16 is the best decision I have ever made,” said Mcroberts.

 

Commentary: Another Morning Cup Of Coffee “News”

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Another Morning Cup Of Coffee “News” Thoughts Form A Republican

By Dannie McIntire

January 6, 2023

As a Republican, I was disheartened by the recent comments of our former Vice President Mike Pence urging the Department Of Justice not to pursue any criminal charges against former President Trump in regard to Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol.  

Quoting Pence; “I think that would be terribly divisive in the country at a time when the American people want to see us heal. At this time of year, we’re all thinking about the most important things in our lives, our faith, our family, and my hope is the Justice Department will think very carefully with how they proceed in that regard.”

A line from the movie “The American President” comes to mind;

“America isn’t easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, ’cause it’s gonna put up a fight”.

Part of the fight for American citizenship is the premise that no one is above our laws, from the everyday citizen up to the president of our country.  We as a nation seem to have lost that principal core belief. 

Look at the headlines of lawlessness that pervades the fabric of our society today; murder, mass shooters, shoplifting, embezzlement, riots, looting, it seems to be an endless list of transgressions against the rule of law, sometimes with little or no consequences.  

One simply has to study history to see when the rule of law in a nation breaks down, that nation declines to a point it will fail to exist as a nation. 

No one person should be above the laws of our nation. If the  Department of Justice has evidence that former President Trump has broken any laws of our nation, having been president does not warrant him a pass from facing any charges. He should have to face our judicial system as any other citizen would have to do.  

As a Republican, if our former president is not indicted by any state or federal court, which well may still happen; I wish he would simply accept that he has been “retired” by the vote of the people. My hope is that he will fade into the background, close this chapter of divisive government and let our nation try to begin healing itself. 

Yes, I was once a “trumpeter”, I voted for him twice, while for me I still don’t consider my vote a “mistake” considering the alternative candidates offered at the time, but it’s clearly time for new leadership and new thinking from both parties.

Whew, time for one more cup of coffee.

It appears that the outgoing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi pulled a fast one before stepping down from her post, issuing a new directive raising the maximum rate that lawmakers can pay House staff a salary up to $212,100 annually.

Currently, both lawmakers in the House and Senate currently are paid an annual salary of $174,000.  Well, they certainly can’t have their office staff making $38,000 more than they make, so look for our congressional lawmakers to vote themselves a raise this coming year. 

Hmm, simply attach themselves a pay raise to a new mind-boggling 4,000-page subsidy bill; surely no one will notice. 

FOOTNOTE:  The City-County Observer posted this article without opinion, bias, or editing.