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Risinger Among Senators Rejecting Pay Raise Recommendation
A local lawmaker was firmly against pay raises for legislators and other state officials this year, and he made that clear with his vote.

The state Senate voted 47-0 Tuesday night to adopt a House Joint Resolution that rejected the Compensation Review Board's recommendation of 12 percent salary increases. The House rejected the pay raises earlier this year, but if the Senate had not acted, the extra pay would have automatically gone into effect.

Senator Dale Risinger says the government is allowing things to go unfunded, which is hurting a lot of people---and he calls it outrageous for lawmakers to even consider raising their salaries.

"This is just the wrong time for us to approve a salary increase for the General Assembly."

Reports indicate the increases would have boosted a lawmaker's basic salary more than $7,000 a year to around $73,000. The increase for the governor would have increased by about $20,000 to $190,000.

State officials will still get a raise, of sorts. This year's budget includes money for 3.8 percent cost-of-living increases.

The Senate vote came on the first day of a two-day special legislative session in Springfield called by Governor Rod Blagojevich.
08 14 08 by Newsroom
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