Some state lawmakers reject pay raise

wow - I'm impressed ...

“I also appreciate that legislators don’t make very much money," Patrick said.

All they do is represent people, why do they need to make twice as much as the people they claim to represent? Tie the pay to the average income.

Can we see a list of lawmakers that rejected the raise and the ones that took the raise, so we can contact our Reps and Senators to reprimand them about it?

Can we see a list of lawmakers that rejected the raise and the ones that took the raise, so we can contact our Reps and Senators to reprimand them about it?

Why should they get 5.5% when most people--if they are lucky--are getting 3%??? Is it because they are that much "better" than the average worker in this state?

** Asked what he would tell a lawmaker who wanted to know whether to accept the pay raise, he said, “My answer to him or her is to him or her and not to the general public.” **
Everything HE does, he has to answer to the public. Shame on him for not asking the law makers whether they want to raise, which will make him look good to the general public...

as we prepare for job cuts to teachers, firefighters, police officers due to cuts in local aid, as state mental health workers are laid off, we are told that the state legislators are getting a raise, the governor refurnishes his limo, nice...time to do the right thing - turn down the raise this year by legislation.

Just goes to show you, the Democratic Party is the party of the selfish and greedy.

“I also appreciate that legislators don’t make very much money," Patrick said.
By what standards? What abot the per diem? What about extra $$$ for committee work? What about envelopes stuffed with cash?

WOW....Everywhere else in the world the average raise ( if any ) is 1-3 percent usually averaged at 2 ... AND THAT'S FOR PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY WORK..But of course DiMasi would stick by the law on this one...too bad he is not as good sticking to the law elswhere. Why they would get anything now with massive layoffs and cutbacks everywhere is a trip............only in Massachusetts !!!! I say in view of the declining economy if they must get a raise and that's another subject, then it SHOULD be lowered accordingly.

Dimasi, you are a disgrace. I thought Bulger & Finneran were the last of the corrupt leadership, but you seem to want to take the flag. Leave it to you to try & justify a raise in these economic times when people whom have worked hard for a living actually putting in 40 hours or more per week have lost their jobs, & are facing the threat of losing their homes as well. Meanwhile you and the members of the State House of Reps have barely ever worked more than 10 hours a week for the constituents, never mind even considering doing something meaningful to work on the economic problems facing the taxpayers of this state. What a bunch of cowards we have elected, that dared not stand up to you when it came time to vote for the House Leader. Do the Taxpayers of this state a big favor & resign before the entire state goes to hell under your corrupt leadership

Kudos to them! It's about time you see a politician or group of politicians that do not want to line their pockets and give to the community! I hope this inspires more politicians to do the same!!

This isn't clear. Donating a pay raise to charity is not rejecting a pay raise.

don't make much money? is their job any more challenging or important than anyone else's? no. we are all equal. at least they make enough to pay rent in mass. enough so they don't have to work two, three jobs to make ends meet.

PAY RAISES NOW IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO EVERY LAID OFF WORKER IN THE STATE.IT WILL BE REMEMBERED IN THE POLES.

They don't make very much money? Is this guy so out of touch that he actually thinks that $58,000, plus a stipend for being a committe chair or in leadership, and a per diem is not a lot of money?? I cannot believe these people are this politically tone deaf. Today I heard that 100 mental health workers are being laid off. But, the state legislature will receive a pay raise. This is surreal.

And you wonder why MA towns and cities are bankrupt?!! Thank you, Mr. Cadillac....

What is wrong with these people? Raise the tolls, get a raise, Hey is it me or has anyone noticed that great press the House has been getting these days?
I would think mumbles the Mayor might take a stand, like the song says "

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi defended the increase today in a statement:
He must feel great to get reelected and not have the common sense to say
How the people of Massachusetss are hurting, now let's hurt them some more.

Gred Greed Greed

Politicians doing good things? Am I in Bizarro Land?

Congratulations to these folks. I'd like to see more of this at the top levels.

ok, help me out here....so they "reject" the raise, but then will "donate" it to a charity. so are they "rejecting" it or "donating" it, which is it?
because the last time i checked my accounting degree, the person who "donates" it gets credit for it against their taxes. i would not have a problem "donating" $3000 if you gave me $3000 to "donate".

donating to charity is not the same as refusing the raise, since if they donate it to charity, it will still count towards their pension and towards future salary (are they donating that raise forever and future % raises based on the salary with the raise, even if they give it to charity. While it is cute that a few are giving the increase away (this year) it is disingenuous and deceitful to say they are refusing the raise if they are in fact donating the money to their favorite charity.

I think this is silly for some lawmakers to make this into a public issue. WE THE VOTERS AGREED TO THIS! And if you don't want to take it now, donate it like some are, but keep it quiet. What's the use of being charitable if you're only doing it to gain points or favor? Thats gamesmanship, not charity.

House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi defended the increase today in a statement, saying it was the product of a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1998 designed. Of Course he defended the pay increase, Dimasi is a CROOK.

I can't understand how this even got this far, Patrick should be ashamed of himself and this auto pay raise stunt. People are struggling with this tanking economy, real estate taxes are up this year (even though values are sinking) local benefits are just about gone, unemployment is up and all we hear about it this auto pay raise and the floor cheering iton. Wwhat a slap in the face to the people of MA.

If the Republicans were smart... they would all forfeit their "raises."

People are getting raises in the MA state government when there are tons of people getting laid off everyday?? You have got to be kidding me!! How about stuffing it!! My husband got laid off on Tuesday and went to the unemoloyment office on Tuesday the man working there pointed to a sign which read " we can not take anymore claims due to the high volume until after 1 pm" My husband went back this morning and was there just after 8 am. The line must have had about 200 people in it and they only allowed 30!!! What is going on?? You are luck to have a job never mind getting a pay raise. I will not vote for anyone that acpets the pay raise!!

Democrats are such phonie's , their job is a partime job and deval saying they dont make much just like he said anyone who is cynical is dumb . It looks like he's the dumb one and a liars also, property tax relief remember that.

This looks noble, but we put automatic raises in there for a reason. They used to get no raises for a long time, then had to take a huge increase to make up for years of stagnant wages. Having regular raises, tied to an index, so we wouldn't have to discuss this issue again.

In reality, these raises are nothing compared to the larger overall issues. But now we're going to have a few weeks of posturing and back and forth and 'lets change this law' and all kinds of other distractions about a process we put in place to avoid future distractions. sigh

“My answer to him or her is to him or her and not to the general public.” - that's some quote by the governor. Unforutantely Deval Patrick is devoid of political courage, so much so that he won't even state an opinion. Perhaps if the legislators refused this pay increase then some of the 100 mental health case managers would not have to be laid off by the state.

5.5 is pretty high. If there was no layoffs going on within the state or country the going rate is 2.5% Why did Deval go so high? I applaud those politicians that are giving the money back to their communities and am not surprised with our beloved House Speaker DiMasi

woo hoo we do have some decent ppl in the goverment

Deval Patrick should be ashamed of himself putting this increase in salary in motion, for the do nothing legislature. With all of the cuts being made in the budget and the suffering of people in this state, he has the audacity to set up a pay raise. Perhaps we should all remember this the next time he runs for public office.

So, the state is facing budget crunches, yet more pay raises?? I'm not following the logic.

“I also appreciate that legislators don’t make very much money," Patrick said.
Are you kidding me!? $58k a year is not very much money? I wonder how many hours they actually put in. My wife and I work 60 hour work weeks and with the overtime we don't even make that much a piece. We own a home in the burbs and are paying crazy property and state income taxes. Our health insurance premiums go up every year and the benefits go down. Tell the lawmakers to make do with what they get just like everyone else that has to actually work for a living. Deval is used to hanging around millionaires and is out of touch.

"House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi defended the increase today in a statement, saying it was the product of a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1998 designed to remove legislative pay decisions from the political process."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How about putting it to the voters AGAIN, Speaker DiMasi? I'd bet those voters would disagree with it and repeal that "constitutional amendment" you claim we approved!

Yeah, can't see that happening anytime soon!

I am not sure who provided infonation to say salaries went up last year but that should be looked into with great detail. I think if that data was manipulated then
we should have some dismisals.

It was ridiculous to hand out raises when the state is short 5 billion dollars
and laying off people.

Operative word - SOME

This raise should settle the debate once and for all on whether or not elected officals in Mass (or anywhere for that mater) really give a crap about anything or if they just keep inundating us wuith LIP SERVICE and then do whatever they want. DISGUSTING GREED in a time of reform.....Pathetic

Where do they get the stats that state's median income increased 5.5%? Did magic fairies deliver that on a golden scroll?

THE MONEY IS TAKEN OUT OF OUR TAXES.....AND WHERE MOST COMPANIES AREN'T GETTING RAISES, WHY SHOULD THEY? I AM APPALLED AT THE GREED...AND AT LEAST HAPPY THAT SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE THE GOOD JUDGEMENT TO REJECT THIS YEAR.

"House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi defended the increase today in a statement, saying it was the product of a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1998 designed to remove legislative pay decisions from the political process. Lawmakers receive a pay raise or cut every two years that is equal to the fluctuation in the state's median household income as determined by the governor. "

WHY DOES HE KEEP GETTING ELECTED?.....THIS IS NOT 1998...AND THESE ARE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES....WHAT A JERK.

"I also appreciate that legislators don’t make very much money," Patrick said. I would say that $61,440 is pretty good money.......for a part time job, which is what being a state legislator is. They all have real jobs they spend most of their time working at. A pay raise? I don't think so.

How big of Patrick since he now must be enjoying days off in his 10,000 sq ft (2nd) home in the Berkshires while he proposes to cut $200,000.00 out of the budget for Tufts Dental which gives fantastic services to severely disbaled people. Real leadership.

Thanks to those who see that forgoing the raise or donating it to those in need is a very nice thing to do in these tough times.

Good ole Sal Dimasi.. Mr Entitlment.

I would really be interested in seeing this formula that Governor Patrick came up with that calculates the state's median income increased by 5.5 percent. Barney Keller said it best, "it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to calculate … that the amount of the raise should be exactly zero.” I commend those that have donated their raises to charity in these times of economic hardship.

...hah... they don't make very much money...... I make about 2/3 of what they made before the increase and I have to suffer through a 4% pay decrease...

These pay increases should not even be on the table, I knew this would happen that's why a yes vote on question one was needed. Same old crap in this state.

These pay increases should not even be on the table, I knew this would happen that's why a yes vote on question one was needed. Same old crap in this state.

"My answer to him or her is to him or her and not to the general public.”

ARE YOU KIDDING DEVOLVE?? YOU work FOR the General PUBLIC!!!!
Can we get this quote in your JOKE of a book "Leadership" ????
Why didnt Obama take him away from us???

Please ..2010 cant come soon enough!!!!

Good for them. And Deval's "Legislator's dont make much" comment on WTKK today is just a blatant lie. Most of them are attorneys and accountants that do this for part-time work.

Anybody for impeaching Deval? We need this guy out of MA - and out of government.

Deval "appreciates that legislators don't make very much money?" I made 20% less than they made before their pay increase, and that was before my 20% pay cut due to the economy and I have a bachelors degree and work in a professional office! WTF!

While laudable on the surface, it seems to me that if the lawmakers are rejecting a raise triggered by a rise in median income, then they are in fact politicizing the pay raise by rejecting it. Nobody's tax bill is going to change one cent on account of these "selfless" legislators. They're taking a short break from padding their pockets and greasing their friends' palms for show.

If they want to impress me in these trying economic times, they can quit wasting half the state's budget while looking for clever, progressive ways to waste even more (*cough* Public Health Council *cough*).

DiMasi defended the raises, wow, that is shocking.....

great mr demacedo will donate his raise.... which gives him a tax break...and of course their pension still gets an increase...so big deal.

The point is that the lawmakers' incomes are tied to the state economy rather than the political process and that is wise ! This year they get a raise and next year very likely not. Just like the rest of us. If some want to donate that extra to charity that's great and if not, it is their pay.

When they take this money and donate to charity, the politician still wins and we lose. The pension gets bumped up and the politician gets the write off.

Can they legally do this?
Here's why I ask:
Here in Illinois, a county official made a public spectable about rejecting her pay raise, and then publicly demanded that other county elected officials do the same.
After the media circus, it was quietly leaked that she, by law, cannot refuse the raise - more to the point cannot change her base pay - in the year prior to or following an election (something like that, anyway).
Turns out that she knew before she made her public spectacle that she could not refuse her raise.
So, Globe reporters, I ask: Can the state lawmakers legally refuse the raise?

shame on Massachusetts. Politician's greed is unquenchable. You WILL be found out and you WILL be VOTED out.

MASS. VOTERS GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY DESERVE AND HERE IT COMES!

Thank you, with much respect and honor to our Mass. constituents who truly have our best interest in mind. Here are representatives that truly are invested in their communities and districts and state of Mass.: Representatives Viriato deMacedo (R), Karyn Polito (R) Shrewsbury, House Minority Leader (R) Bradley Jones, Garrett Bradley (D) Hingham, and Harriet L. Stanley(D) W Newbury.

I don't know of anyone in the private sector who has received a raise during this time of economic crisis, I do know many who have lost their homes and jobs though. I for one am struggling to pay my bills and feed my family as I watch the government stick their greedy hands into my paycheck every week and pay for ridiculous items such as a $46,000 Cadillac or $10,000 curtains. I'd be curious to add up the total of the 5.5% pay increase and see how many mouths could be fed...

Massachusetts is a disgrace. These people who take this are pigs and those who do not vote them out are as stupid as they get. Or, is everyone in the State on the take? Have they no clue? Look at the other states, just in New England they are 50% higher already. This is THE problem, they think this is a real job they are a disgrace,

Did anyone see the President-Elect's comments today when he said "Government at every level will have to tighten its belt....". (if you didn't, its in another front page Globe article). He must have been talking about the other 49 states. Why do our pols think they are exempt from this?
Our elected officials are too busy working for themselves or on their re-elections. Unfortunately our own state's ethics laws are too weak and outdated to keep up with everything that's going on. We already have taxation without representation - its time for another tea party!!!

When the next election comes around, let your representative know how you feel about him/ her taking a 5.5 % increase while you may have been looking at a cut. Send them down the road, to look for a REAL job.

No matter I still say DUMP THE INCUMBENTS. Clean out the House and Senate. Time for a big time do over!

Last resident to move out of MA, remember to turn off the lights- or better yet, switch the billing to the MA legislators.....

I think Sal DiMasi is a disgrace, but running a close second is Republican Party spokesman Barney Keller. The voters approved a constitutional amendment tying legislators' raises to the median income. A constitutional amendment has to pass two successive legislative sessions and gain a gubernatorial signature. In 1996 the governor was a Republican, Bill Weld. In 1998, the governor was also a Republican, Paul Cellucci. If you're going to attack the Legislature on this one, you should attack all the legislators during the 1996 and 1998 sessions --- and the two Republican governors! You're a fraud, Barney, just like DiMasi. The two of you have more in common than you know!

Isn't that nice, another pay raise for a bunch of useless and corrupted public officials. Don't any of you think that they don't make much $$$, they ALL have a perk somewhere such as a chairmanship etc. That all adds into their pay but no one is talking about it.
What did I hear the other day that politicians can ask for a raise in their pension if they don't get re-elected, another perk! Try that if you lose your job to the recession which all these useless individuals created.
TERM LIMITATIONS is the only solution to their very lucrative positions in government and I don't mean just at the state level!

Most of you seem to be missing something. This was approved by voters in 1998, NOT something legislators voted on themselves. That said, they make plenty for what is largely a part-time job. I know at least one state senator (Scott Brown) and one state Rep. (Ross) who have other full time jobs--Ross has a funeral home, and Brown is a lawyer and a Reservist (or National Guard). I am sure others have similar positions. They should give the money to the towns in the districts they represent.

5.5% is a modest raise? What world does Sal live in?

“I also appreciate that legislators don’t make very much money," Patrick said. Before their 5.5% pay increase they make 20% more than I do, and that is before my 20% pay cut I got a month ago....I have a bachelors degree and work for a profesional company! Government is supposed to make the world a better place, not get rich! WTF!

I've got a great idea -- why don't we get rid of at least half of the state representatives in Massachusetts. We don't need 160 reps. for a state with only 6 million people. California, with a population of 33 million, only has 80 state reps. We could save a lot of money by getting rid of at least 80 of those state reps -- at least $8 million. Then we can slash the salaries of the remaining 80 by at least 50%. We could easily save $10 million by doing these two things.

You (the Massachusetts voters) voted back in 1998 to allow the legislators pay to be raised by this amount.

Why are you so angry about something you voted on? You sound like contradictory morons.

Stop voting like idiots and maybe this state won't be such a laughing stock!

I don't get what everyone's problem is. Seriously, their wages are tied to the house median income, they get raises AND cuts according to the median income. So if they get a 5.5% increase now (to reflect the economy a year ago), then next pay change they will have a double digit decrease. They don't set their own pay rates, the state of the economy does (albeit on a time delay)

I know that Senator Brown has donated similar increases in the past to charities in his District and has already disclosed that thia increase is going to the ARC groups, food panties and Councils of Aging in his District. Good for him.