Michigan Republicans will return Covid relief funds used to pay own bonuses

[catbyte]

Six commissioners voted to pay themselves $65,000 in total

Associated Press in Corunna, Michigan
Sun 25 Jul 2021 12.53 EDT

Elected Republican officials in a conservative Michigan county who gave themselves bonuses totalling $65,000 with federal Covid-19 relief funds said they would return the money – following days of criticism.

The Shiawassee county commissioners acted after a prosecutor said the payments were illegal, the Argus-Press reported.

The Michigan state constitution bars additional compensation for elected officials “after services had already been rendered”, prosecutor Scott Koerner said.

The commissioners voted on 15 July to award themselves $65,000 as part of a plan to give $557,000 to 250 county employees as “hazard pay” for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/25/michigan-republicans-covid-relief-funds-bonuses

[PJMcK]

1. So, here's a question

What made these officials think they could give themselves that money?

What hubris. And greed.

[bluedigger]

2. Not because it's the right thing to do, but to avoid prosecution.

[keithbvadu2]

3. When you can approve your own pay and benefits,

When you can approve your own pay and benefits, it becomes more obvious why you deserve them.

???