With money tight, state senators agree to take furloughs

April 28, 2009 06:32 PM Email| Comments (12)| Text size – +

By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff

All 40 state senators today agreed to take unpaid furloughs of three to five days to help the state save money and demonstrate they are "sharing in the pain" of Massachusetts residents struggling through the historic recession.

Senate President Therese Murray, who estimated the savings at $50,000, said the move is not only symbolic.

"We're all feeling the effects of this economic downturn, and we are all sharing in the pain," she said in a news release. "As the Senate moves forward with its reform agenda and continues work on its own budget recommendations and revenue options, we must remember that we're in this together. Everything is on the table, and every agency, program and line-item must be scrutinized. We owe it to the public."

The gesture was endorsed by minority leader Richard Tisei, who called it "just another way that we as legislators can do our part to help the Commonwealth get through these difficult economic times."

Sixteen senators who make between $50,000 and $75,000 a year will take three days off without pay and 24 senators who earn $75,000 or more will take off five days, according to Senate spokesman David Falcone. Falcone declined to provide estimates of the cost to individual senators. But roughly, a $75,000-a-year senator furloughed for a five-day work week would lose about $1,440 in all.

Two weeks ago Governor Deval Patrick announced that 5,000 executive branch employees would be furloughed for up to five days, at an estimated cost savings of $4.5 million. He said he and most of his staff would continue to come to the office and work for free.

The House of Representatives so far has not offered to take furloughs. Seth Gitell, spokesman for House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, said the matter will be discussed at a future membership caucus.

"It is under consideration," he said.

On Tuesday night, the House sought to address the state's budget crisis by approving a sales tax hike opposed by the governor. The vote heightened tensions between the Legislature and governor, who have disagreed over how to solve the state's financial woes. The Senate takes up the budget next month.

» Back to Front Page

12 comments so far...

Perhaps if they increased the sales tax to something like 8% none of our legislators would have to take a furlough.

Posted by davejs April 28, 09 06:46 PM

I suppose there is no chance that these solons would consider taking a permanent furlough? Probably not, unlike Diane Wilkerson they may not have planned for their financial future.

Posted by Matthew G April 28, 09 07:20 PM

So the House has not decided if they would take a furlough. But they did approve a sales tax hike.....Now that was nice....Glad to know we could count on them to tighten their belts...

Posted by me April 28, 09 07:23 PM

Permenatly I hopE

Posted by david April 28, 09 08:33 PM

Do we have IDIOTS stamped across our heads? One thing I believe most people know is your can't trust a politican as far as you can throw them. How about starting we they'll really be some savings. $50,000.00 isn't going to do a whole lot considering the state of the ecomony.

Posted by ericjlr April 28, 09 09:10 PM

It may not be a whole lot of money saved, but at least they are making an effort. I am glad to see some of our politicians trying. Let's just hope the house of representatives is as willing to make just a small sacrifice to help out the people who elected them instead of just taxing us all to death.

Posted by Karen April 28, 09 09:40 PM

In NH state reps agree to serve for $200 a year.

Posted by Hank April 28, 09 11:07 PM

nice, most people who are working for the commonwealth, are finding it hard to, pay their taxes, cant send their children to collage, and hope there is food on the table tomorrow,and god forbid their means of transportation fails inspection, or breaks down..

Posted by gail gullifer April 28, 09 11:59 PM

The amount that is being sacrificed by the senior Senators, $1,440, is a nice gesture, which I appreciate to an extent. I guess I look at it in terms of my own salary though. It takes me almost three weeks at full time employment status (post 6K salary cut I was forced to take due to the "troubled economic times") to make $1,440. Yes, they want to empathize, but I feel like working harder to make cost-of-living and salaries/wages come more in line would be far more helpful than taking a furlough.

Posted by Kim April 29, 09 01:05 AM

Not to worry they will sneek themselves a pay raise or some other perk later at one of those 2 am votes when your sleeping.

Posted by richie burlington April 29, 09 06:47 AM

And the Town staff has to take a week without pay? How gracious of the senators, who m ake the big bucks, to give a day or 2.

Posted by Joan April 29, 09 10:16 AM

I guess the option was to pass a bill that might benefit the state, and taxpayers, or take a vacation. Guess which one they chose.

Posted by Adam April 29, 09 12:40 PM