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Mass. Lawmakers To Receive 5.5 Percent Pay Hike

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Jan 8, 2009 7:34 am US/Eastern

Mass. Lawmakers To Receive 5.5 Percent Pay Hike

Discuss: Should They Take The Raise?
Interactive: Tell Us Your Thoughts On The Pay Raises

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Massachusetts lawmakers are in line to receive a 5.5 percent pay hike, even as they prepare to make deep cuts to state services.

That would lift lawmakers' base pay from $58,237 to $61,440.

Under a state law approved by voters in 1998, lawmakers' pay rises or falls every two years in sync with the state's median household income.

The law requires the governor to determine the change to the household income at the start of each two-year legislative session. 

Gov. Deval Patrick sent a letter to state Treasurer Timothy Cahill Wednesday saying he'd determined the increase to be 5.5 percent.

The timing is politically awkward as the state grapples with tumbling revenues and lawmakers face the prospect of slashing spending.

A spokesman for Senate President Therese Murray says the decision whether or not to accept the pay hike is up to each individual member.

Patrick's office had no comment when asked if the governor would try to find a way around the salary hikes.

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