The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

January 23, 2009

2 of area’s 4 state legislators have returned pay raises

By Matt Snyder

MERCER COUNTY — With a recession in full swing across the nation and an expectedly difficult budget year in Pennsylvania, Mercer County’s state legislators promised in December to return their annual pay raises.

How’s that going?

Slowly, so far.

Two of four local lawmakers had returned the money as of Friday: Rep. Richard Stevenson, Grove City, R-8th District, turned the money in to the state treasury on Thursday. Rep. Mark Longietti, Farrell, D-7th District, donated his to Joshua’s Haven City Mission, Sharon.

Rep. Michele Brooks, Jamestown, R-17th District, and Sen. Robert D. “Bob” Robbins, Salem Township, R-50th District, said their money will be returned in coming weeks.

Robbins said he wanted to wait for state leaders to meet and ensure everyone was on the same page and Mrs. Brooks said she has been taking care of personal matters since the death of her mother.

Statewide, only a third of the lawmakers who promised to return their pay raises have done so, according to The Patriot-News of Harrisburg.

Because the state’s coffers took a hit in the troubled economy, Gov. Ed Rendell, his cabinet and state House and Senate leaders promised in December to return their annual wage increases. Mercer County’s four lawmakers followed suit.

The $2,152 raise for state representatives is part of a mandatory 2.8 percent annual cost-of-living increase for legislators, judges and state officials resulting from a 1995 state law passed during the Ridge administration. Pay raises for those in leadership roles could be $3,358 or more. State representatives’ base salary is $76,163.

There is no way for lawmakers to turn down the raise, so representatives making good on pledges to return the cash have been sending the money to the treasury or donating it to charities.

Some legislators have been returning the money on a quarterly basis, said a Pennsylvania Treasury spokeswoman. According to Mrs. Brooks, the money comes monthly as part of their normal salary.

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