Harrisburg, PA – Reps. Mario Scavello (Monroe-176th) and Mike Peifer (R-Monroe/Wayne/Pike), along with Rep.-elect Rosemary Brown (R-Monroe/Pike), said they will return the 1.7 percent automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) granted to lawmakers and other state officials.
“Clearly, this is no time for lawmakers or any state leaders to be taking a pay increase,” the lawmakers said. “People across the state are struggling. Right here at home, Monroe County is laying off workers and no one is getting raises of any sort. Senior citizens were recently informed they would not receive a COLA for the second year in a row.
“The bottom line is that many Pennsylvania families, as well as the state budget, are in dire fiscal straights. The last thing we should be doing is taking more money for ourselves,” they added.
Scavello, Peifer and Brown said they plan to return the 1.7 percent in additional pay to the state in the form of a monthly check.
