Posted: | February 16, 2017 03:50 PM |
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From: | Representative Stephen Barrar |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Compensation of Uniformed Military Service to the Commonwealth |
I will be introducing legislation that amends Chapter 23 of Title 51 (Military Affairs). The legislation repeals § 2304’s “Compensation of division commander or equivalent” with “Compensation of Uniformed Military Officers in Service to the Commonwealth”. This section will now specify that the annual salary of Deputy Adjutant Generals, and General Officers in command positions permanently employed by the Commonwealth, is to be equivalent to the federal military base pay. In addition to specifying the eligibility requirements and conditions for the pay increase, this legislation also determines how the cost of living adjustment is to be calculated. This legislation is important because the PA Adjutant General and uniformed Deputy Adjutant Generals earn significantly less than their active duty counterparts though they maintain the same military standards and comparable senior executive responsibilities. As a matter of fact, they can earn less than other soldiers two to three ranks their junior (depending on time in service). With this increase, the active duty officers earn additional compensations for allowances. Case-in-point, the DAG position for the Army has been vacant for nearly three years and in today’s National Guard, relevant professionals are needed as many of the top candidates are unable to take large pay cuts to serve in the PNG. This legislation ensures the ability to attract and retain the best-qualified candidates for these positions and I hope that you will join me in supporting our Commonwealth’s National Guard by sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB819