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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 31, 2022 02:51 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Lisa Baker |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Legislative COLA Refusal Mechanism |
| Legislative pay raises rightfully gain attention and scrutiny from taxpayers. As public servants sent to Harrisburg to make a difference for our communities, it is paramount that we lead by example when striving to be fiscally responsible. Like many of you, I have chosen to donate any cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to a local non-profit organization in my Senatorial District. However, I believe that members of the General Assembly should be able to elect to reject receipt of a COLA. In order to achieve this, I plan to re-introduce Senate Bill 401 from last session, to amend the Public Official Compensation law. As part of this measure, a legislator would need to submit a refusal of the COLA in writing to the Chief Clerk in either chamber, no later than ten days prior to the annual effective date of the adjustment. The election to reject the adjustment would be irrevocable during the member’s term of office. Sponsors of Senate Bill 401, last session, were Senators Aument, Brewster, DiSanto, Phillips-Hill, Stefano, Vogel, and J. Ward. Cost savings are effectively achieved when we all come together to examine the needs of our Commonwealth and prioritize responsible spending. Thank you for your consideration. |
Introduced as SB1087