In the USA Today newspaper on 2/1/2008, there is some interesting information about the widening gap between Public and Private pay and benefits.

"The gap is widening every year, rising by an average $1.02 an hour last year and $2.45 an hour over the past three years. The better pay and benefits for public employees come as private-sector workers face stagnant wages and rising unemployment."

The full article can be read on the following link:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-01-civil-servants_N.htm

It's a good article to read when examining the public pay and benefits in our own state before the next election.