But hey, who knows, maybe this is something they'll address when they get back to work under the dome in Lansing this week.  Oh, that's right, the Detroit News is reporting this morning:

The Legislature was scheduled to be in today, Wednesday and Thursday but the session days were canceled early Monday.

Suppose they won't be getting much done this week after all.  And for everyone who's wondering, it looks like an email went out from the Speaker's office on Friday announcing the cancellation of the week's session schedule.  The Senate then granted their members district days instead of setting up a roll call in Lansing with no bargaining partner on the other side of the building.

But that's not to say they aren't working.  The Senate at least.  They were busy yesterday releasing information on employee pay to the public.  The FREEP reports:

Annual salaries for employees of the Michigan State Senate were posted on the state's Web site Monday at http://databank.senate.michigan.gov.

The site contains salary figures for every job description currently occupied, but not employees' names. In some instances, where necessary for clarity, the specific Senate office in which the employee works is also identified.

Matt Marsden, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, said employee identities are available on request.

This follows hot on the heels of the LSJ's decision to publish pay information on most other public employees.  Both moves have drawn the ire of a lot of employees and their families.

And it's a tough one.  With my background and history in campaigns and elections I'm used to having my salary available in campaign finance reporting documents.  It's a reality I had to get used to living with but typically it didn't bother me.  

Personally I've never taken a look at reporting documents for coworker salaries... what does it have to do with me and the way I do my job?  If you sign on for a particular salary then you should do the job with everything you've got for that salary.  Period.  That's always been my take.  And as an extension I haven't and likely won't take a look at state employee salary information at LSJ or the new Senate site.  

Though that's not to say it isn't information that should be public.  Folks have a right to know what their taxpayer dollars are buying as much as they should have a right to know what sort of influence free wine tasting trips to California have on the legislative process.

Finally, on another sad note (not liking this developing pattern), Former state Rep Tom Meyer passed in his sleep yesterday of an apparent heart attack.  The Associated Press reports:

Meyer, a Republican from Bad Axe who forged a long career in radio, died Monday. He was 65.

Meyer served six years in the state House, giving up the seat at the end of last year because of term limits. He represented Huron and Tuscola counties.

House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche of Novi called Meyer a "tremendous friend and dedicated lawmaker" who helped shape farm policy in the state.

I had a chance to work (very loosely) with the Representative several years ago and was always impressed by his strength of conviction and willingness to express it.  I can still see him and hear his voice on the House floor taking up for his district or speaking out against crazy legislation.

Say a prayer or two for the family.  He was one of the good guys.