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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP |
  
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House Dems call on lawmakers to forego COLA
HARRISBURG, Dec. 2 -- Pennsylvania House Democratic leaders are foregoing the new cost-of-living increase and are calling on other House members to do the same.
The decision comes in light of a worsening financial picture for Pennsylvania that will prompt Governor Ed Rendell on Wednesday to call for additional cuts of roughly $100 million in the state budget.
"With so many working families facing difficult decisions this winter, we will lead by example and make deep cuts to our operation and encourage all members to say 'no' to this COLA," said Speaker-designee Keith McCall, D-Carbon.
"The Governor will be asking for more cuts," said House Appropriations Chairman
Dwight Evans, D-Phila. "With that in mind, we are encouraging all members
to give back the COLA. We expect Democrats will do so and hope the Republicans
will follow suit."
Lawmakers received a 2.8 percent COLA as of Dec. 1.
"This economy is challenging and this Legislature is going to rise to that challenge," said Democratic Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne.
Eachus said in addition to foregoing the COLA, House Democrats support cuts to the General Assembly appropriations and are trimming costs in other ways, such as banning out-of-state travel and reviewing hiring policies.
Evans said no proposal for saving money or raising revenue is too far-fetched to consider.
"We’re taking every suggestion seriously," Evans said.
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CONTACT: Johnna A. Pro Phone: 717-783-8024 Cell: 717-418-3749 Email: jpro@pahouse.net Bob Caton Phone: 717-783-1375 Cell: 717-773-1558 Email: bcaton@pahouse.net
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