County GOP District Commissioner Candidates Vow to Reject Taxpayer-Funded Pay Raise
Cite the need to lead by example heading into budget debate
For Immediate Release Contact: TBD
Allentown, June 19, 2009 - Calling it a good faith down payment on their pledge to balance the County budget by 2012 without raising taxes or raiding the county surplus, the five Republican District Commissioner candidates on the ballot this year vowed to reject the taxpayer-funded pay raise they’d be eligible to receive if they win election in November.
The pay raise went into effect in 2008 for those Commissioners elected the previous year and will go into effect in 2010 for those Commissioners who are successful in being elected this coming November.
The Republicans applauded Commissioner Dean Browning’s recent proposal to curtail the growth in compensation for County employees as a means to rein in county spending, and said in light of Browning’s proposal and the economic recession facing the country, there is no justification for elected officials to vote themselves a pay increase or accept one if offered.
“In these economic times, government absolutely must live within its means,” said incumbent District 2 Commissioner Percy Dougherty. “As the County’s elected representatives, we need to set an example and share in any necessary reductions and that’s what we are going to do.”
“With County residents struggling to make ends meet at home, their elected officials have no business expecting taxpayers to give them a raise, regardless of the amount.” said incumbent District 5 Commissioner Glenn Eckhart. “This is just as much about principle and leadership as it is about dollars and cents.”
“Anyone who gets into public service for the money shouldn’t get involved in the first place,” said Bob Smith, Commissioner candidate in District 3. “I would not have voted for the pay raise and I certainly won’t accept it if elected. My opponent this year, who has already accepted the pay hike, should give it back and refuse to accept the increase moving forward.”
“In order to achieve a balanced budget by 2012 without the use of gimmicks and one-shot deals - like raiding the county surplus - everyone is going to be asked to give up something,” said District 1 Commissioner candidate Tom Creighton. “It’s only right that the Commissioners surrender their pay raises before asking county employees to sacrifice.”
“I talk to residents every day who are seeing their pay frozen or cut and to many who have even lost their jobs,” said Mike Welsh, District 4 Commissioner candidate. “In that climate, rejecting the pay raise shouldn’t be a hard decision. It’s the responsible thing to do.”
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