Letter to Editor: Taking Umbrage with Legislature's Pay Raise

Editor's note: This was submitted Wednesday, Feb. 1, a day before the legislature voted to override Gov. Baker's veto of an $18 pay package. Click here to see who voted for the pay raise last week.

Dear Editor, I know the national political situation is a bit precarious these days, but I was truly shocked at the audacity of the vast majority of our Massachusetts State Legislature, including our local officials Jason Lewis & Michael Day.

Despite the state facing deficits the last few years (including $615.7 million projected this fiscal year) they voted to reward themselves with a collective $18 million pay raise. Are you kidding me? Is this serving the people or themselves? Thankfully, Governor Baker vetoed their proposal, but they easily have the votes to override him - the vote to do this is on Feb 2 - and it would likely take a strong pushback from constituents to change their minds. (Editor's note: The legislature voted to override the veto Thursday night.)

Their central argument (more of a smokescreen) is that their current salaries, benefits & stipends are not enough to attract quality candidates to run for office. I would think that most candidates who run for office understand the opportunity & prestige of serving the people supersedes profiting from them. After all, we are talking about a part-time job with an average salary, great benefits, and potentially significant, future earning opportunities. Also, many politicians have regular jobs or had successful careers before taking office, which describes both of Stoneham's elected officials. This is clearly less about attracting quality candidates & more about about padding the wallets of career politicians!

In most lines of work, a pay raise is based on performance, both individual and the overall enterprise. I'm sorry to say, but given the operational challenges & financial state of affairs in both Massachusetts and in Stoneham, there is no justification for a raise at this point in time. Please contact your representatives and tell them to do the job they were elected to do, which is to look after us & not their wallets.