January 28, 2010

Rep. Bradley One of Only Nine Reps to forego Constitutionally Mandated Pay Raise

Also Participates in five day unpaid furlough and rejects per-diem

Boston - State Representative Garrett J. Bradley (D-Hingham) notified the State Treasurer that he is forgoing the constitutionally mandated pay raise again this year.  According to the State Treasurer’s office, Rep. Bradley is one of nine legislators who will be forgoing the pay raise again this year.

Under Article 118 of the amendments to the state Constitution, approved by voters in a 1998 referendum, lawmakers who accept the raise would see their base pay increase from $58,237 to $61,440.  The pay raise is provided for in the Constitution and is tied to an increase in the median household income.  The Change is made every 2 years.  This increase amounted to 5.5 percent.  In addition to this, Representative Bradley will not be accepting his $18 per day per diem allotment also mandated in the Constitution.

Furthermore, Representative Bradley voluntarily participated in the 5 day unpaid furlough that combined with House of Representatives staff furloughs, will save an total estimated $620,000 from the House operating budget.

Representative Bradley stated, “I do not think it is an appropriate time for me to accept a pay raise or daily per diem.  It is imperative that I have the confidence of my constituents as we move forward in this difficult session. I cannot ask the taxpayers to make sacrifices while at the same time collecting a pay raise.  While the decision I have made to not accept the pay raise or any per diem allotment will not solve our budget crisis, it is my hope that my constituents will see that I understand the difficult choices facing the residents of the Commonwealth and our nation as a whole.  However, the decision to do this remains an individual decision for each and every legislator.”

 

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