Lawmakers to get a pay increase, some refuse raise

Posted: 7/3/2012 11:15:16 AM
Updated: 7/3/2012 11:48:27 AM

Union members may have to forego their cost of living adjustments in some communities but lawmakers will not have to.

The Providence Journal reports that lawmakers in the part-time General Assembly are set for a pay increase.

Starting in July the average pay of a legislator will rise from $14,185 to $14,639 not to mention the healthcare provided by the state. Some legislature have waived the healthcare or opted for co-pays and some are doing the same with the pay increase.

Six Senators all Republicans and two House members have notified the Joint Committee on Legislative services that they do not want the raise.

Senators refusing the pay increase are Denis Algiere (R, Westerly), Dawson Hodgson (R, North Kingstown), Nicholas Kettle (R-Coventry), Frank Maher (R, Exeter), Christopher Ottiano (R Portsmouth), and Glen Shibley (R, Coventry)

Representatives Doreen Costa ( R, North Kingstown), and James McLaughlin (D, Cumberland) have also waived the increase.

The Providence Journal reports that Sen. Algiere the Senate minority leader said he reached out to other Senate Republicans last week to see if they too would be willing to waive the pay increase.

The General Assembly had a 1.6 percent increase last year that sparked a similar revolt among lawmakers with all eight Republican Senators, Senator James Sheehan and Rep. Doreen Costa rejecting the increase.

Dee DeQuattro | WPRO News