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House
Republicans urge salary commission to
forego legislator pay raises
In a letter to the state's Salary Commission, House Republican Leader
Richard DeBolt urged the board not to approve pay increases for state
lawmakers this year. The request to forego salary increases for
lawmakers was supported unanimously by the 35 members of the House
Republican Caucus.
DeBolt asked the
commission to weigh the state's economic circumstances and the plight of
Washington families when considering whether to boost salaries for
elected officials.
"This session,
the Legislature will be tasked with rebuilding our state’s economy and
closing a multi-billion dollar deficit in the state operating budget,"
DeBolt said in his letter to the commission. "As part of this effort,
our caucus believes strongly that state government must make difficult
choices and responsible decisions to hold the line on state spending. We
cannot ask the taxpayers to bear a greater burden for the state’s own
fiscal mismanagement, especially during these tough economic times."
The Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials
has constitutional authority to set pay for state lawmakers. The
commission held hearings this week to accept public testimony. DeBolt's
letter was submitted today on behalf of the House Republican Caucus.
"As elected officials we intend to demonstrate our ownership in the
challenges before us and share in the sacrifice that Washington families
face," DeBolt wrote. "For these reasons the House Republican Caucus
respectfully requests that the Commission not approve salary increases
for state lawmakers."
Additional public hearings will be held on Feb. 17 in Vancouver, March
17 in Bellingham, April 23 in Richland, and May 19 in Tacoma. The Salary
Commission is expected to render a decision on elected officials
salaries in May.
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For more information, contact:
Lisa Fenton, Communications
Director - (360) 786-7728
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