No raises for us, legislative leaders declare
The speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates and president of the state Senate released a joint statement today saying, in no uncertain terms, that they will reject a proposed legislative pay raise.
The General Assembly Compensation Commission this morning recommended a small increase for the 188 lawmakers, to be applied several years from now. If the state's unemployment rate drops to 5 percent or below (it's now around 7 percent) in 2013, lawmakers would get a one-time $2,000 bump, said salary commission Chairman Sean W. Glynn.
But Speaker Michael E. Busch and President Thomas V. Mike Miller said it's inappropriate to talk about raises -- even ones that would come in the future -- when state workers have frozen or reduced salaries.
"Now is not the time to accept pay raises for legislators," Busch said in the statement. "We respectfully decline the salary recommendation of the Commission."
Miller called the proposed pay increase "inappropriate."
Added to a previous four-year salary freeze, the leaders' decision means lawmaker salaries will likely remain frozen at $43,500 until 2014. Busch and Miller make $56,500, The salary commission meets every four years to review lawmakers' pay.
By state law, the nine-member independent commission's recommendation must be introduced as a bill during the legislative session. Lawmakers can either accept it or reduce the amount. The leaders' joint statement indicates it will most likely be rejected outright.
In a Baltimore Sun story published Sunday, Miller and Busch indicated they might be open to a salary increase that comes in the future and is tied to an economic indicator. Turns out, they aren't.
Governor Martin O'Malley, who makes $150,000 per year, also shot down an effort to increase his pay.
Comments
Good! This is an awesome thing that these people are shutting down attempts to raise their pay in a bad economy, they are finally listening to the American people who don't want them to do that.
Really, who proposed this in the first place? Ah..... the General Assembly Compensation Commission.... who is on it, and how can I VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE!
Someone please post that information, I cannot find it through internet searches.
Posted by: Abresh | January 5, 2010 7:08 PM
Being as how this job is part time, that means the legislooters would make $174,000 a year prorated.
RETURN NONE OF THEM TO OFFICE IN 2010 and 2012!!!
With such ethical issues many have, and the ethics issues YET to be resolved, no raises are in order. In fact, using merit as a gauge, they SHOULD be getting their pay cut!
Posted by: Voters Ignorance | January 6, 2010 2:37 PM
Governor & General Assembly appointees all, appointment is 4 year term, political favors no doubt.
What a SHAM, the only reason they are 'self' regulating is that it would be political suicide had they allowed this to go forth. In a typical Maryland legislative year this would have gone through undetected and unchallenged.
Annapolis does for Annapolis folks, we are merely static.
Augie
Posted by: augieboy | January 9, 2010 6:46 AM
Here is all the info:
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/26excom/html/17gen.html
Posted by: Luna | January 11, 2010 2:16 PM
Since many state employees have already been told their jobs will be eliminated in June our legislators ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT be getting a pay raise. Look for the state's unemployment rate to increase after these state employees lose their jobs and file for unemployment.
Posted by: Jane | January 12, 2010 9:51 PM