We’re having a hard time trying to think of a more baffling decision by a politician running for higher office in recent years. Last night, Denver City Council members Michael Hancock and Doug Linkhart voted for a pay increase for City Council members while in the midst of running their own campaigns for Denver Mayor.
Yes, you read that correctly. Two candidates who are running for Mayor in a city faced with a $100 million budget deficit voted to increase salaries for City Council members by 6.6 percent. Currently, City Council members earn $78,173 per year, with an additional $30,000 in benefits. The attack ads write themselves, if they are even necessary at this point.
Linkhart tried to explain his vote by saying that he has always favored a pay raise and that he wasn’t going to change his mind just because this is an election year. His position would be mildly admirable if it wasn’t so mind-bogglingly stupid politically. Linkhart was already a longshot to be elected Mayor, but there’s no way he gets elected now.
But the biggest whiff from last night’s vote came from Hancock, who voted in favor of the pay increase despite his statements during a Feb. 28 city council meeting that the increase should not be approved.
Apparently Hancock no longer wants to be Mayor. It’s bad enough to vote for a pay increase when you’re running for Mayor and the city is $100 million in debt. It’s Titanic-esque to cast that vote after you’ve already been on record opposing the idea.
Among candidates running for Mayor, only Carol Boigon had the good sense to oppose the pay increase.
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Why, Michael? I am so bummed about this. I might abstain from voting for the first time in my life because I can’t vote for any other candidate and now I don’t think I can vote for Michael. Oh, Michael. I had such high hopes for you.
…they were essentially advised by the city attorney that they were required by Charter to pass this bill and that any no vote would have been merely symbolic.
Having said that, both are in a position as candidates that a symbolic gesture would have probably served them better.
They are required to pass a wage ordinance, which they did. However, before that vote, which included the increase, Linkhart and Hancock voted against an amendment by Councilwoman Faatz to freeze the wages. They were not compelled by the City Attorneys Office to vote against that amendment. They essentially voted twice for the increase Monday and will do it again next Monday if they don’t have a change of heart.
Let’s elect a non-politician this time too…
spahnformayor.com
Hogwash, Denver pols. James Mejia came out strongly against it too. You also need to post the fact that former Denver Mayor Pena endorsed James yesterday. This is major news.
Federico’s wife, Cindy Peña is communications director for Mejia. I’m sure that had NOTHING to do with his endorsement.
This post had nothing to do with Mejia.
By the way, Mejia had announced his support from Pena last summer.
Definitely not true.