"There’s no provision in a budget revision package under review by lawmakers to cancel the pay increases..."

I don't care how small the increase is, they shouldn't get it. People are losing their homes; they're out of work, it's tough all over. Cuts are going to be be bare bones and hurt those most vunerable as it is. The complaint that Maine's elected officials are so lowly paid to begin with, really gets me. For one thing, we don't have the population MA does and besides we are NOT MA to begin with! Even still, I've often wondered why candidate spend the outrageous sums of money they do to be elected in this state - MA candidates don't even spent that much. There are other perks for them once they get into office and they know it. They have a lot of power and influence once elected - if there wasn't something very worthwhile about getting the position, they would never spend the campaign funds they do. I refuse to believe they all run for office out of the goodness of their hearts and a total desire to help their constitutents. Some may start out that way, but it doesn't last long. There's a lot more to it than what we see. They're doing a lot better than NH and NH seems to have a lot more residents than we do - or are they all tourists from MA? (They can keep them). They should be working on cutting back on expenses big time, not worrying about getting a small raise - the Goveror's salary should be slashed too. What has he done for us during his tenure?

A raise in pay? How about the workers that got laid off, or the ones that lost their jobs? How about the legislators donating their increase in pay to us lowly paid workers? Or better still, how about each one of them trading places with us & living on our base pay? Unreasonable you say? Of course it is. Just like giving them an increase in pay is.

Unbelievable. Shameful. Two-faced. Out-of-touch. Clueless. These are just some of the words that come to mind when reading this article.

Did they forget that our economy is tanking and many of us are out of jobs and losing our homes? Because these hardships do not affect them directly, they do not understand what it is like to suffer and go without.

We are forced to cut back, why don't they?

Pingree is quoted as saying “People clearly don’t do this for the money.” Then why give them another pay raise???? That raise in pay should go into a heating fund or food cupboards in Maine to help people that REALLY need it.

The Feds have already announced that there will be no cost of living increase for Social Security recipients next year. Not even the paltry 2% or so that is more often than not granted begrudgingly. If our senior and disabled population can't get a cost of living raise, then our elected officials should be treated to the same. Has anyone done the math to see how much this pay increase is costing the people of Maine?

Can you say CROOKS ????????

Nobody is getting a pay raise this year. A lot of people are getting pink slips! No raises for the legislators. Sorry.

I agree that Maine's elected officials should not get a raise. People are having a very difficult time paying for their medications, food, their mortgages, etc... Let the elected officials donate their raises to help the fuel program and food pantries. People don't choose to be poor. Most people want to work and provide for their families. Most Maine people do not want a hand-out. Jobs are scarce and the economy here in Maine is terrible! Prices keeping soaring, but the cost of living stays the same. Help the people who are elderly and those who are willing to work, but still can't make ends meet.

Are they freaking kidding ?! What a slap in the face for Maine people. Most of the legislators have other jobs. If it is “People clearly don’t do this for the money.”

then why approve themselves for a raise. This reminds me of "Scrooge" in the sense, that it acceptable for many to be without but not for them to go without. The people in Augusta knew going in what the pay was, so if they do this job for the good of the people of Maine, lets be real and donate that $40,000 to a good use, like heating oil for the cold, food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, medicine for the elderly that cannot afford it, the list is endless as to what other good this money could do. I think it is an a darn shame that they will get and accept the raise, let alone print it in the news for all to see when we are being asked to cut back and go without. Shame on them, I am so disappointed.

That's great, we are cutting services to people with mental retardation and to the elderly and we are giving these guys raises. Way to go guys, way to be out of touch with the normal Mainer!

I haven't had a cola in 10 years. This is unreal. I think that they should look at freezing the salaries of all State government employees for the next few fiscal years.

What do legislators that have been in the legislature for more than one term make? When you figure that for ten months work they make $22,000, that is really not bad pay. Add in all the other perks they get, like postage and retirement, and they actually make more. I make about the same as they do and I have to work a full 12 months. I know lots of people who make less than that for 12 months work and support a family. Retired people who only get Social Security make less than that and they have all the same bills that everyone else does. I do not think they should get a raise. How about cutting some of the Governor's

"special assistants" that make more than $100,000 a year?

"During the 2007-08 session, they received $12,713 for the first year and $9,316 the second, for a total of $22,029." Does this mean that the $13,526 figure that they're quoting is per session, for a year's salary of something like $26,000? That's pretty confusing. It's almost as if they're trying to make the salary appear to be smaller than it is.

not only should they not be getting pay raises. They should have their salaries cut and their session time cut in half.

"Let them eat cake!" ~ Hannah Pingree

Only $200 per session in NH. Isn't it ironic that those that get paid less do a better job. Maine should have a pay for performance system. This bunch of mentally challenged public officials should have to pay to serve!!!!!!!

At a time when those of us that still have jobs are just grateful to have a job (let alone a pay increase), most of us are trying to make ends meet, they give themselves a pay increase. This just shows what a bunch of crroks we have in Augusta! AND THE KICKER IS WE VOTED THEM IN TO LOOK AFTER OUR BEST INTERESTS!!!! We know what their best interests are.... THEIR BOTTOM LINES!!!

Why do they get to decide if they get a raise or not. My job doesn't let me have that decision. It is always shoved in my face everyday that these crooks are working for us. So if they are working for us why do they live in the main house and i live in the shita! Shouldn't the people decide if they recieve a raise. Just go back to sleep sheep and worry about whats happing in hollywood!

the House and Senate may be getting a pay raise, but did you know that the state is now paying for memberships for ALL state employees to their YMCA - how does that qualify as a necessity in the budget over Li-HEAP or road maintenance or any other line in the budget?

Madboy, I agree! What other business allows the employees to vote on raises? I wonder how the Pingree family voted. We're the idiots who vote for these d-bags.

Madboy, I agree! What other business allows the employees to vote on raises? I wonder how the Pingree family voted. We're the idiots who vote for these d-bags.

Madboy, I agree! What other business allows the employees to vote on raises? I wonder how the Pingree family voted. We're the idiots who vote for these d-bags.

This legislature and this governor have flatly failed this State. Failed. A cursory look at the budget gap proves it.

People, please remember the names of those who are currently in office the next time you vote.

Not one of them has the gonads to stand up and say THIS RAISES ARE WRONG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. NO WAY ARE WE GETTING A PAY RAISE THIS YEAR. I AM SPONSORING A BILL THAT SENDS THE MONEY THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US UNDER THIS RAISE TO HOME HEATING OIL ASSISTANCE (or insert your favorite assistance program here) AND I DARE ANYONE TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

Nope. They're all hiding behind "well, that's what the law we wrote says so that's what's going to happen. Baldacci should have sponsored this cut months ago.

Don't forget this. What an absolute slap in the face.

People need to realize is their power lies in the fact that we keep giving them $$. Stop the $$ and their power is taken away. Stop all tax increases abolish half of the taxes on the books now and vote down all bonds and you will see these jerks getting in line real quick. This must be done.

Couldn't they have made up the difference in food stamps?

Mainelyme

Couldn't they have made up the difference in food stamps?

Mainelyme

Oh my god...I can't believe this article.

State Legislatures should received compensation that is the average of all of that state's workforce. As wages increase or decrease each year for the average citizen, so should those of those who are elected to represent the voters.

All lawmakers, local and national, should forego any increse in pay for now. And those who don't need the money, as in the many millionaires who walk the hall of DC, should refuse theirs all together. I know it is only a drop in the proverbial bucket, but when you are struggling to cross the desert, every single drop is important.

State Legislatures should received compensation that is the average of all of that state's workforce. As wages increase or decrease each year for the average citizen, so should those of those who are elected to represent the voters.

All lawmakers, local and national, should forego any increse in pay for now. And those who don't need the money, as in the many millionaires who walk the halls of DC, should refuse theirs all together. I know it is only a drop in the proverbial bucket, but when you are struggling to cross the desert, every single drop is important.

All lawmakers, local and national, should forego any increse in pay for now. And those who don't need the money, as in the many millionaires who walk the halls of DC, should refuse theirs all together. I know it is only a drop in the proverbial bucket, but when you are struggling to cross the desert, every single drop is important.

Welcome to Maine- The Way Life Should Be (For our Gov't that is)

The people of Maine voted these people to office. You deserve the government you elected. I moved from Maine after 48 years of living there. I now live in a state with common sence, low cost of living, better weather and people are happy. I'd tell you where, but I don't want any of you moving here and ruining my new state.

The people of Maine voted these people to office. You deserve the government you elected. I moved from Maine after 48 years of living there. I now live in a state with common sence, low cost of living, better weather and people are happy. I'd tell you where, but I don't want any of you moving here and ruining my new state.

What a lousy news day. Why can't you feed us more stories about topless coffee shops and drug-dealing? Reality BDN, bah!

All those in Augusta should give the money back and their names listed in the newspaper....those that don't should not be voted in again...We the voters need to remember this and vote accordingly......

All:

Is there an echo in here or is it just me?

OldBangor

All:

Is there an echo in here or is it just me?

OldBangor

OldBangor:

It's just you!

OldBangor:

It's just you!

Mainelyme

OldBangor:

It's just you!

Mainelyme

OldBangor:

It's just you!

OldBangor:

It also seems to be just me!

Do we need all those reps in Augusta, how about cutting the legislature by 75%, the same job could get done and save all those funds for worthy causes.

Why not cut the Maine legislature by 75% and get the same work done in a more productive way. They than would not have time to take naps when in session.!!!!. Put that money saved to a better cause.

Don't buy a Vista Pavillion!

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

I think we better all call Agusta and complain...this just too much!!!!1

The people of Maine are just getting what we deserve. We have elected the same kinds of people for decades with the same horrible results year after year. Who does this really surprise? The only thing this state has going for it is that we have the best welfare system in the country. That is just great. Keep on punishing everyone who wants to work so we can pay for those who don't. This is the peoples fault and not the government we always choose to put in. They are just doing the same stupid things they always do.

searoses --

The best way to complain is for us to not vote in these same clowns year after year. It's funny that everyone will get all up in arms about this, and at the next election....... the same people, or those who share their exact same philosophy......... will be voted into office once again.

We (the people) get what we tolerate.

Since these so-called state leaders seem to have thought it was a good idea to spend a reported $2+ million tax dollars on that fancy water fountain and landscape project around the capitol complex, they don't even deserve a COLA. This raise should be CUT, along with about half of those legislative positions.

IMPEACH BALDACII !!!!!!

Ridiculous. Printing this article is like a slap in the face.

Hey! Where did my comment go?! Good thing I kept a copy!

On 1/9/09 at 10:55 AM, jimlay wrote:

I do not think the financial climate is appropriate for our legislators to receive a pay raise, especially in view of the fact that they bear so much responsibility for our state poverty and poor infrastructure maintenance. However, if they MUST have it, then it should be done thusly: Solemnly promise the money, then pay it out in dribs and drabs over a four-year period, while lecturing them on fiscal responsibility. This procedure has been used to great effect on Maine's struggling hospitals and the legislature should be similarly delighted to be so treated. Let's all get on board with our governor's tough new budget philosophy and help the legislature share the pain!

stop bitching and next time don't vote the same boneheads in...it is on own fault and we keep voting in the same people who vote tax increases in the dead of night..

downbeat, good idea but the Maine Voter is an idiot. We the voter is the problem for this. (well not me i've never voted for a democrat.)

Just think if all of the people posting their disgust to this raise could organize themselves and just one more person each to TAKE ACTION.....

DON'T AGONIZE, ORGANIZE

I think the REPUBLICANS will be taking the raise too did any of them vote against it?

I've just emailed both my Senator and Rep. you can get there email adresses at www.maine.gov oh both Republicans by the way...I'm a Dem and voted for both of them

People did you or did you not vote these people into office..........How about in two years voting there sorry butts out of office..............

I didnt vote these morons into office, so I will sit here and complain until someone I vote for gets in and actually does something good for a change.

I'm not aware of any employer except the great State of Maine that assumes they can give a 3.7% increase!! WHAT UP!!!

I agree with all the others comments, we are to blame. Why, because we voted for these idiots. Just remember this, the next time we go to the polls.

All you people who voted these people in - it's all because of MPBN and Humble Farmer - they made you do it using subliminal broadcasting technology.

On behalf of every poverty stricken family from Fort Kent to Kittery, sleep tight all you pathetic lawmakers - and please do think of every one of these oppressed, defeated families every time you look at yourselves in the mirror.

This is utterly UNBELIEVABLE....no wonder the state is in such hard shape!!!!!!!!!!!

It doesn't matter who you vote in. They are all the same. Go back to sleep sheep!

And just think they don't have to pay for there insurence like we do.They are lining there pockets for there retirerment.lol

"It doesn't matter who you vote in. They are all the same."

power to the people.

I don't see any republicans saying they won't take the raise either. Lets face it, a pol is a pol, they are ALL in it for themselves as far as I am concerned, this proves it. What can we do? call the legislature non-stop and scream about it until they agree to freeze any increase. They want to keep their jobs just like anyone else, if they know they will lose it over this raise, they will vote it down. Just complaining here does nothing...CALL THE LEGISLATURE!!!!!

VOICE YOUR DISAPPROVAL !!!!, it is your right as a citizen of this state to do so. Here is the info for the Government Oversight Committee, use it.

82 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0082

Senator Deborah L. Simpson

Chair

Telephone: 777-1379

Representative Dawn Hill

Chair

Telephone: (207) 337-3689