James Bond: I am less than impressed with the hoo-ha over these so-called "bonuses." Most state workers are not paid at market rates. Yes, they have good job security, and in many cases they might not have to work the long hours that private sector employees do. However, these "bonuses" are not much in the grand scheme of things, and for workers who are deemed by their responsible bosses to have performed meritoriously, this amount of money is significant and can make a person very happy. There are no million dollar golden parachutes in the public sector -- just bonuses limited to no more than $2,000 per year, and only when the agency budget has the money left over through personnel savings. I think the media and Governor Risch have unfairly blown this out of proportion. Attorney General Wasden and the SEIU labor representative hit the nail on the head about it being a deserved reward for a year of hard work for good employees.

DFO: I doubt that many in the private sector get anywhere near triple digits when it comes to bonuses (if they get a bonus at all). Many of them bust their tales at work, too. I'll guarantee you that there'd be hell to pay if the hard-working employees at North Idaho courthouses took home a bonus of almost $1,000 b/c there was money left over in the budget. This is an example of the state not knowing how the other half lives, the half paying the taxes for those bonuses. Sorry, 007, I ain't buying.

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