Politics & Government

State House Employees Get 3 Percent Raise

Although the state is expected to fall short of projected revenue, some say the raises are justified since staff hasn't had a raise in four years.

Despite recent news that the state is projected to take in less than expected in tax revenues, State House leaders last week announced 3 percent salary raises for aides to state representatives and some senators, the Globe reported

But Seth Gitell, a spokesman for House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, said the increases are justified because the employees haven't had a raise since 2008.

"It’s been more than four years since the last cost-of-living adjustment,” Gitell told the Globe. “Previously, employees received cost-of-living increases every one or, in many cases, every one or two years. There hasn’t been one in a long time.”

Find out what's happening in Charlestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Last week, DeLeo gave raises to all 460 people who work in the House, and Senate President Therese Murray gave raises to people who work directly for her. Gitell said the cuts will be paid for from the current House budget since it covers fewer employees than it did in 2009. 

So what do you think? Should State House employees receive a raise this year, after no increases for more than four years? Or should these raises wait until state revenues improve? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Find out what's happening in Charlestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Charlestown