Capitol Ideas' John Micek is right. Today, state reps. Craig Dally (R-Northampton) and Richard Grucela (D-Northampton), announce their decision to contribute their 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) to the Northampton County Children Youth and Families Division. Here's part of the news release. “Rep. Dally and I agreed that at a time when many residents of Pennsylvania and Northampton County are facing unemployment or reduced employment it would not be proper to take the cost of living increase,” Grucela said.
Neither by law nor by Commonwealth Supreme Court ruling are lawmakers allowed to refuse the COLA. The legislators will, instead, write checks to the county children and youth office. The COLA is approximately $1,500 for each member.
“It is our opinion that these funds can be put to better use taking care of the children in Northampton County rather than returned to the state General Fund and spent at the governor’s discretion.” Dally said.
The funds will go into a special account to purchase counseling services for children and families. This area of purchased services has been particularly hard hit by the recent budget cutbacks.
“The Children, Youth and Families Division is very appreciative of the donation of funds from Representatives Dally and Grucela,” said Division Director Kevin E. Dolan. “These funds are vital during what are lean budget times. The goal of the counseling services is to keep children safe in their homes.”
The state’s current revenues are far below projections and cuts to state programs and services are likely in the current fiscal year.
Gov. Ed Rendell announced a wage freeze for more than 13,600 non-union employees and directed 51 cabinet and executive officials to donate back, after state and federal taxes, the net amount of a 2.8 percent cost-of-living increase mandated by a 1995 law.
13 comments:
Big round of applause to these two state representatives. Hopefully others, including those in the Senate, will step up to the plate.
How ever will they eke by?
So what of the Rumor That Bernie kieklak has prevailed upon Lisa Boscola to donate her raise to "Bloggers of Merit"? an organization founded to keep Bloggers like Bernie O'hare from going hungry?
The check is in the mail. I will wait for more independent confirmation.
You're tough! Kevin Dolan, who heads Northampton County's C&Y, has publicly thanked these two state reps. Do you want me to ask him to produce a cancelled check? If they had no intention of doing this, they certainly wouldn't trot Kevin Dolan out there.
I'll wait for independent confirmation. A human services manager is not going to say no to a person who votes on their budget.
And with your man crush on Grucela and Daly, again, I wait for independent confirmation.
It's ridiculous to suggest that two legislators from two different parties would issue a news release containing a lie and that they would even go so far as to recruit a county employee (with a reputation for integrity) to conspire with them to deceive the public. You've seen one too many black helicopters.
Dally has provided me a copy of his check to CYF. I willNOT publish that bc it would release his bank info, butr that's good enough for me. If you have a real problem, contact his office and then you can apologize. Of course, the check may be part of this elaborate scheme to fool you, too.
Bernie,
Any opinion on Lehigh County's consideration of granting an already in-state business KOZ tax free status on a green field property in Upper Saucon?
It sounds ridiculous. Send me an email back channel. My email addy is BOHare5948@aol.com
This is still a gimmick.
Taxpayers still have to pay the COLA. Politicians get to donate money from taxpayers. This isn't much different from a WAM. Nor does it fix any problems with the State Budget. It is a P.R. move.
How about if they eliminate the COLA - or future COLA's?
That would be substantive.
Joe, Republican leaders have proposed to do just that.
Bernie,
As a Republican, I must honestly say that I am surprised. Maybe some leadership in the GOP is beginning to 'get it'.
One can hope.
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