Editorial: Legislators who refuse pay hikes deserve applause

By: Editorial | Opelika Auburn News
Published: April 09, 2009

Actions of nine members of the Alabama House of Representatives deserve applause.

The representatives wrote letters refusing the 3.8 percent cost-of-living pay increase, which went into effect last week. They are: Lesley Vance, D-Phenix City; Robert Bentley, R-Tuscaloosa; Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood; Blaine Galliher, R-Rainbow Cit;, Mike Hill, R-Columbiana; Cam Ward, R-Alabaster; Alan Booth, D-Troy; Alan Harper, D-Aliceville; and Terry Spicer, D-Elba.

It was reported that letters written by state senators are confidential until that information is made public by the state comptroller.

According to an Associated Press story, Vance said accepting extra money at this time would not be appropriate considering the state’s rising unemployment rate, which has ballooned to 8.4 percent.

District 79 House Representative and House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, told the Opelika-Auburn News last week that raises he was given would go toward college scholarship funds.

Other legislators are working to alter the cost-of-living increase. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, is toying with a resolution that would actually reduce this increase due to the current economic situation.

“I hate to see us get that raise when our taxpayers are losing their jobs, struggling and taking cuts in pay,” McCutcheon told the Huntsville Times.

“I don’t like it. At this point, I don’t know what can be done about it.”

We recommend that other state legislators follow this lead and show they are personally willing to pinch pennies.

It’s leadership.

It’s setting an example.

It’s putting the state of Alabama before their private coffers.

Approval by legislators in March 2007 for a 60 percent increase in base legislative salary (from $30,710 to $49,500 annually) was an example of greed, which is the breeding ground for destruction and corruption. And we know Alabama doesn’t need any more political corruption than it’s already had.

With the 60 percent cash increase already in their pockets, the least legislators can do is refuse an extra 3.8 percent when many Alabamians are struggling to keep a job, much less benefitting from a raise.