MPP Klees quick to respond

Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees doesn't hide.
When I asked the four MPPs in York Region to justify their recent pay hike, the only one to answer was Mr. Klees.
I wasn't surprised  — Frank is good at his job. He answers the hard questions on time and in full.
Even though Frank sits on the far right and I straddle the centre and lean to the left, I respect him a great deal.
When Frank is re-elected in Newmarket-Aurora for the Conservatives in the fall provincial election, I'll be the first to congratulate him.
Here is his response to the questions asked in my last blog. 

Dear Joan,
I read with interest you letter and am pleased to respond to your two specific questions:
1) Can't you live on $90,000.00 ? The answer is quite simply "no". In fact, as my disclosures to the Integrity Commissioner have indicated since my election in 1995, I have had income from personal investmets that allowed me the financial freedom to run for office then, and to continue to serve in public office since.
I invested 25 years in business before committing myself to public service. Over that time, I was fortunate to be able to afford my family a standard of living commensurate with the rewards that hard work and  investment risks afforded us. And I do not for one moment believe that it should be expected that to commit to public service requires one to uproot family from their home, or to give up their standard of living which has been afforded them over the years.
Families of those in public service make considerable spersonal sacrifices and I believe it would be irresponsible to ask them take on additional economic adjustments .
Having said that, the legislative salary was not a factor when I decided to run for affice and it has nothing to do with my candidacy in the next election.

2) Could you live on $16,000.00 ?
No. I did at one time, and do know what it is to work for minimum wage, having done so in my first jobs. I have also experienced the challenges of not knowing where the next rent payment will come from, and I know what it is to work two and three jobs to make ends meet. That is the very reason I believe it is imperative that public policy encourages an economic environment that attracts business investment that in turn creates the jobs that will allow individuals and families to reach personal and financial security.
Competetiveness with bordering and international jurisdictions on issues such as corporate and personal taxes and minimum wage standards are all factors that determine where businesses invest and locate. It is for that reason that I will continue to work on behalf of my constituents to ensure that a wide variety of job opportunities are available for all.

Frank Klees, MPP

Comments

[Richard Johnson]

Frank Klees deserves every penny of his pay, but unfortunately I can't say that about every politician, but such is life and that is where our vote comes in.

I think we all have to wonder how many corporate executives of publicly traded companies deserve the multi million dollar packages they receive. Some actually might be worth their pay, but lets face it, most can't possibly justify their rewards.

Based on my experience, I personally feel that the likes of Frank Klees deliver the goods commensurate with their pay and then some. If you don't think so, there is always the option of running for office.

[Martin]

Finally we get to hear the counter-argument on the matter of MPP pay hikes. The reality is that the people we vote for tend to be highly qualified by their education and employment experience, if not their actual skill.
The reality is that a 25% pay raise is justified not because they all of a sudden work 25% harder but because they have been negligent in giving themselves smaller regular pay hike over the years. From the public reaction to this raise, we can understand why.

[Pam Mac Donald]

I appreciate MPP Klees willingness to tackle the "human" issues that affect the people in this area on a day-to-day basis. These issues are often very personal and filled with emotion for the individuals involved. Klees has taken on issues ranging from organ donations, street-racing,autism, depriving out-of-school teens of a driver's licence and most recently justice, particularly the backlog in our Family Courts. Like the 25% pay raise you may not always agree with his stand....but at least he is willing to take one!