Rep. Dan Reilly Declines Legislative Pay Increase

The following is from a State House press release. 

Rep. Daniel P. Reilly (R-Dist. 72 Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport) has declined a 3.2 percent pay increase that was given to all state legislators at the beginning of this current fiscal year. 

Effective July 1, state legislators were given a 3.2 percent pay increase pursuant to an amendment to the state constitution that took effect in the mid-1990’s. This change established a structure by which legislators’ compensation would be tied to the consumer price index (CPI) for the previous year. 

According to this formula, it was determined that state legislators were entitled to a 3.2 percent pay increase.

“I can’t in good faith accept a raise while also calling for less government spending,” said Rep. Reilly. “The simple solution for me is to just refuse to accept it. I also feel that it is inappropriate for part-time legislators to get raises while our economy stagnates and our constituents continue to struggle.”

In addition to refusing this pay increase, Rep. Reilly also does not accept the state-funded health insurance plan available to legislators or legislative grants, which face next to no oversight and are not voted on by the General Assembly.