Over the Christmas holiday - when few were paying attention - Manitoba's MLAs quietly received a 9 percent salary increase. That gives members a 30 percent increase in pay over the past six years. It all stems from a commissioned report on MLA compensation and allowances.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) made a submission to the commissioner recommending MLA pay be tied the average weekly earnings index of Manitobans; sadly, the commissioner saw fit to ignore this. The CTF also recommended MLA expense accounts, when tabled annually in the legislature, are done so with detailed information - again, the commissioner disregarded.

There is merit to fully disclosing how MLAs spend their over constituency allowances. Take for example, 22-year veteran NDP MLA Jim Maloway. Maloway does not have a constituency office(MLAs are not actually required to) however, he managed to spend $20,000 more than the average MLA - most of whom have offices and staff that run them!

CTV News and the CTF dug into some of his expenses - which was no easy task. After paying a fee for public documents to the legislative members' allowances, it was discovered there were invoices for three cell phones - one cell phone bill came in at $1,340 for one month. When questioned on the use of three phones, Maloway claimed to have used one when he was out of the country, and has since returned the other two.

There was also a lot of money spent on advertising - he spent more than $9,000, well above the $5,000 average. Though, he claims the spending was to save the Kelvin Community Centre, a laudable goal. Yet in spite of that, there is much speculation that Maloway is planning on vying for retired NDP MP Bill Blaikie's riding and he has been trying to raise his profile with more advertising.

The point of detailing expenses is to ensure that taxpayers' money is not being used and abused. Maloway may be able to explain away some of his spending, but how is the public to know if we are getting value for our money

No one is questioning the legitimate need for politicians to be afforded a reasonable amount of resources in order to communicate with their constituents to inform them of important policy decisions. But what is questionable are 3 cell phones and a $1,340 a month cell phone bill.

The average Manitoban's salary did not go up by 30 percent over the past six years, nor can they afford 3 cell phones, international trips or advertising for their next job. Our politicians need to be reminded this is not their money to play with to suit their own personal needs.