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	Congress Fixes Own Y2K Bug By Declan McCullagh February 12, 1999 Question: How do you get Congresscritters to take Y2K seriously? Answer: Tell them after December 31, they can't count on receiving their $136,700 salaries. It worked on Wednesday, when the House Administration committee suddenly woke up to all things Y2K. At near-supersonic speeds, the usually sluggish legislators got Y2K religion and immediately voted $770,000 for a new payroll computer. Some Republicans had previously kvetched about the White House's profligate Y2K spending, but the hefty cost of their own upgrade met with scant outcry. Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) complained a little, just for the record, then promptly joined in the unanimous vote. The House Inspector General recently decided that the current payroll system could not be upgraded and must be replaced, the Washington Times reported yesterday. "As a result, the members' payroll must be replaced by a package before Sept. 30," the IG said. October 1 is when the federal government enters its 2000 fiscal year. The new system is scheduled to be in place in July. But the committee's move Wednesday was just looking out for Number One. Their aides get paychecks from a different system. It's not Y2K-OK.		FEATURES Book Reviews Y2K already has spawned its own genre. We tell you what books are worth buying. Chip 'n Little Cartoons Chip 'n Little goes on TV Chip 'n Little visits John Koskinen Chip 'n Little saves the world Warning: This cartoon has been called "foolish and tasteless." Y2K from A to Z Y2K Haiku Traditionalists may be shocked. Mad Cow Culture What does Y2K have in common with today's Mad Cow Culture? Answer: Everything. Declan McCullagh's Y2K articles Psychology of Y2K LATEST NEWS As of December 31, 1999 Get Your T-Shirt Quick Bill Gates Does Y2K Reader Feedback A Sarcastic Calendar Cooking After the Apocalypse A Real Y2K Disaster Hitchhiker's Guide Meets Y2K