Congress has four months to keep the country from defaulting on its debt by raising the debt ceiling.

Iowa lawmakers plan to change a property tax calculation that some local governments don’t like. And Illinois state lawmakers got a raise along with statewide office holders.

We’ll get to that this morning with Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann and former Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert, a Democrat.

“I would not be in favor of this (the raise,)” Schwiebert said. “Doing pay raises just gives a bad message for elected officials.”

“This is just not justifiable on multiple levels,” Kaufmann said. “And I say that as a former legislator.”

To hear what else our panelists have to say, click on the video.

Now we want to hear from you, too, with our question of the week. What do you think about the pay raises given to Illinois state lawmakers and statewide office holders? Share your thoughts at 4therecord@whbf.com.

Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you.  It’s a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on what’s happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home.