House members rebuff pressure to forgo pay hike By Steve Leblanc, Associated Press, 1/8/2003 14:54

BOSTON (AP) House Democrats met in a closed door caucus Wednesday, but rebuffed pressure to forgo a $3,258 annual pay hike. On Tuesday, most senators said they would refuse the increase.

House Speaker Thomas Finneran, D-Boston, said there was no consensus reached about whether to accept the constitionally-mandated increase. He said the decision is up to each individual lawmaker.

Some legislators have said they would refuse the extra money. Others said they planned to accept the pay, but donate some or all to charity. Lawmakers are feeling pressure to refuse the hike because of the state's ongoing fiscal crunch.

Finneran bristled at the suggestion that House members should also feel peer pressure from the Senate or Gov. Mitt Romney and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, both of whom said they will forego their entire salary for the four years of their terms.

Most House members are not wealthy, but still tackle tough issues, bring important real world experience to their jobs and deserve fair pay, Finneran said.

''Whatever the level of compensation is, it should be sufficient so that those types of decisions are not left to idle, wealthy, bored people,'' Finneran said. ''It's always better if you have serious people with the flesh and blood problems that every ordinary person has.''

Finneran also pointed out that most House members agreed to work eight unpaid days last year as the state's economy worsened. The furlough cost members thousands in pay, he said.

Finneran said he is still discussing his pay hike with his wife and has not decided whether he will refuse the extra money. As speaker, Finneran makes an additional $35,000 over the base salary for lawmakers.

The raise will bring that annual base salary from $50,123 to $53,381. The total cost to the state will be $651,599 this year.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2003

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-- Anonymous, January 08, 2003

If anything ever happens to Finneran, I suppose I better make sure I have a good alibi. He stole $10,000 from my mother. Bloody socialist! I heard this morning (is it in the article? I can't bear to read too far) that he is letting his wife make the decision for his household whether he turns down the raise or not.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003