Gov. Deval Patrick cuts legislative pay (by $307/yr)

Boston Herald ^ | 1/3/11 | Hillary Chabot

[raccoonradio]

Gov. Deval Patrick announced today he is trimming legislative salaries — and his own pay — by .5 percent in the face of a mounting budget deficit and continuing economic recession.

The pay cut means lawmakers would see $307 slashed from their pay and earn a base salary of $61,133 and Patrick’s pay would go from $140,535 to $139,833. The salary cut is the first since 1998.

“The median household income for the Commonwealth for the preceding two-year period decreased by .5 percent,” Patrick wrote in a brief letter announcing the cut.

The salary reductions will begin Wednesday, according to Patrick’s announcement.

Every two years, the sitting governor decides whether lawmakers will receive a salary boost — a measure adopted to take the decision away from legislators themselves. Patrick raised legislative salaries two years ago by 5.5 percent.

[raccoonradio]

I feel bad for those legislators who will have to give up about 6 bucks per week. How than they survive?

[goldstategop]

They won’t suffer. Their perks are not included in this “cut.” Its not like they have to make any real sacrifices.

[raccoonradio]

I’m sure the per diems will stay—getting paid for driving to work.

[Lazlo in PA]

This is more BS from weak leadership. This will do nothing and unfortunately send more MA Libs out to pollute surrounding states as MA burns.

[GeronL]

What about benefits?

Did they get higher per diem? higher travel pay? more free postage? You know they got something.

[Westbrook]

Wow. I’m sure that’s gonna hurt.

I’m underwhelmed.

[AU72]

I guess they will have to hold one more barbecue fundraiser to make up for it.

[bgill]

That’s ok. The under the table kickbacks will more than make up for it.

[Cicero]

Patrick’s pay would go from $140,535 to $139,833

Oh, the humanity! It's a good thing he has unlimited benefits and mob payments under the table.

[massgopguy]

These cuts are “Draconian”.

[lurk]

Now those are some severe cuts.

What kind of country do we live in that state legislatures are reduced to such grinding poverty?

[Mr. Bird]

Yes, it’s a paltry sum. But it’s something. If the federal government simply cut spending by 0.5% from 2008 levels, we’d be seeing something. Imagine a 0.5% cut in REAL spending each year for the next 10 years. I haven’t done the math, but that would probably result in a 2021 budget expenditure a good 33% less than projections.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

What an effin joke. I had to move from second shift to first and give up my 10% shift differential. Let these legislators take a 10% pay cut and then hear them scream.
$307 per year. Gimme a break. That's one dinner out for them.

[RexBeach]

The Boston State House is full of maggots. This story proves it.

[raccoonradio]

And whenever they raise taxes don’t they say, “Oh, it’s just the price of a cup of coffee per week” or day or something? Well, $307 is less than a buck per day THEY are giving up...well at least it wasn’t a raise but this is indeed underwhelming

[libertarian27]

Oh great...now they can say in interviews and campaign spots that they know what it feels like to tighten their belts...just can’t wait/not

[org.whodat]

5% damn, de pain, de pain, give me a break

[beethovenfan]

To quote Biden: “That’s really a BFD!”

[Rick66]

Agreed...I live in this cesspool of a state. A little comparison...My pay dropped a mere 18% in 2010 not including health insurance. I am single and my company can now only afford to pay half of my health insurance. So, On top of the pay decrease I must also fork over 82 bucks a week extra for that. It was 30 bucks per week in 2009. Numbers. My 75000 job in 2009.. is now 57296.00. I can't bitch(wtf good would it do) cause I need the job but I made that kind of money TWELVE years ago. I could deal with less than a buck a day decrease, especially when those salaries are double mine. Try on 48.50 a day lost in one year. I hate to complain because I know alot of people are far worse off. I just found it amazing that the trivial cut they took was even mentioned. How about a ten percent cut for all state and union workers to TRY and balance the budget??

[RexBeach]

I left MA in 1977, and never missed it.

I moved to a state that actually has a surplus this past year.

Hah!