State legislative employees will join in furlough plan

August 28, 2009

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Maryland legislative offices will close for five days around holidays, and more than 630 employees in that branch will be required to take unpaid furlough days, General Assembly leaders announced yesterday. The plan is modeled on Gov. Martin O'Malley's graduated furlough plan for executive branch employees that requires they take three to 10 unpaid days this fiscal year, depending on their income. The legislative plan would result in $1.1 million in savings to the state. While the state constitution forbids midterm salary reductions for lawmakers, they are encouraged to participate. House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller pledged to contribute 10 days' pay. Last year, when state employees were furloughed, 85 percent of lawmakers participated.

- Laura Smitherman

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COMMENTS (5) | Add Comment

Only about 40k/year, which means they should take AT LEAST 8 days without pay, the same as the rest of the executive and legislative branch employees. They also stay at some of the best hotels and dine at the best restaurants while session is in - all on the taxpayer's dime. The rest of us have to commute daily no matter how far it is. Print the list of those who didn't participate in furloughs - it's the taxpayers' (and voters') right to know!!

gj62 (08/28/2009, 2:45 PM )

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Just so you know, lawmakers only make about 40k a year.

Liz56 (08/28/2009, 12:13 PM )

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@nev827, I would love to see that list as well.

I am a state worker and I really don't think it's fair that the lawmakers are excluded from pay reductions. The majority of them probably make way more than the average state worker, so therefore the state could save a whole hell of a lot more money if they hit the lawmakers pockets instead of ours. Besides, they can afford it. Many of them have other business ventures that they earn money from in addition to their state salary. This is our second pay reduction this year, how do they expect us to make ends meet. It's hard enough as it is now! I say reduce the pay of the Gov., judges, lawmakers, states attorneys, and those worthless city officials and let them see how it really feels, then maybe they will leave us underpayed, overworked state employees alone.

Tiff_J (08/28/2009, 10:51 AM )

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