By Tessa Roy WPRO News
With the start of a new budget year, lawmakers’ paychecks increased over the weekend, even as the future of the state’s budget remains up in the air, but some legislators say they won’t take the raise.
Rep. Bob Lancia (R-Cranston) made a “personal decision” to decline the raise, but that it isn’t necessarily wrong for any of his General Assembly colleagues to accept it following Friday’s budget standoff at the State House. He said that he felt uncomfortable, given the uncertainty over the budget.
“I don’t know that it would be inappropriate (to take the raise) because each person has to make their own decision. In my case, I just didn’t feel good about it at this point,” he said.
“It’s going to be a challenge and there’s going to be a level of frustration for the day-to-day individual… there’s so much unknown and so much at play right now.”
The Providence Journal reported that as of the start of the 2018 fiscal year on Saturday, lawmakers received a $200.59 annual raise, bumping their pay from $15,429.72 to $15,630.31 per year. The Journal explained that legislators’ salaries are delegated and adjusted annually based on an Article in the state constitution.
Rep. Bobby Nardolillo (R-Coventry) said on Twitter he also declined his raise. Spokespeople for members of the General Assembly say they aren’t yet sure how many other lawmakers declined, adding that they should know by later in the week.
