Romney OK's pay increases for lawmakers

On his last day in office, Governor Mitt Romney yesterday approved pay raises for state lawmakers.

The governor's aides had told the Globe that Romney would withhold his approval for the cost-of-living increases unless lawmakers voted on a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. On Tuesday, 62 lawmakers voted to advance the constitutional amendment for possible placement on the 2008 state ballot.

The state's 200 House and Senate members were entitled to an automatic raise on Jan. 1, but the governor issues final approval.

Romney notified state Treasurer Timothy Cahill in a letter yesterday that the median household income rose 4.8 percent over the past two years.

Romney aides could not be reached yesterday. A spokesman for House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi said she was not aware of Romney's decision. Aides for Senate President Robert E. Travaglini did not return calls.

The lawmakers are entitled to a pay raise every two years under a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 1998. The raise in 2004 amounted to 4.1 percent, increasing lawmakers' base pay to $55,570.

Romney administration officials estimated the new raise could reach 7 percent over the next two years, increasing lawmakers base pay to between $58,349 and $59,460.

Raises for legislators are linked to changes in average incomes in Massachusetts, but it is up to the governor to decide the exact amount.

All state senators and many House members receive stipends from $7,500 to $15,000 for committee chairmanships and other leadership positions.