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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Steve Samuelson |
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Lehigh Valley Democratic House Delegation rejects cost-of-living increase
HARRISBURG, Dec. 5 – State House Democrats from the Lehigh Valley said they will return their cost-of-living pay increase to the state this year.
State lawmakers received a 2.8 percent cost-of-living increase this week in accordance with a 1995 state law that provides legislators with annual cost-of-living increases. The legislators said they will reject the increase this year and urge their fellow House members to do the same. The money will be returned to the state treasury via a check from the member.
The lawmakers added that in an effort to avoid any type of tax increase, significant cuts are going to be necessary in the state budget, and those cuts need to start with them. They acknowledged that even though it may not do much to address the state's $600 million budget shortfall, they can lead by example and help to cut government costs every way possible.
In addition, House Democrats support cuts to General Assembly appropriations and are trimming costs in other ways, such as banning out-of-state travel and reviewing hiring policies.
The delegation consists of Democratic state Reps. Jennifer Mann, Rich Grucela, Bob Freeman, Steve Samuelson, and Joe Brennan.
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