Governor, legislators taking pay cut

BOSTON (WWLP) - Incomes across Massachusetts are going down, and so too are those of Beacon Hill lawmakers.

In accordance with a state constitutional amendment passed in 1998, state legislators are getting a 1.8% pay cut; reflecting the decline in average household income across the state.

The decline means that House and Senate lawmakers will see their wages go down by about $1,100 dollars. Their base pay will be reset to just over $60,000 per year.

Governor Deval Patrick will take a $2,500 pay cut, bringing his salary down to just over $137,000 dollars.  Patrick told 22News that he is keeping an eye on his personal spending.

“We have been tightening our spending for many, many years.  You know, we're not immune from what's going on in the general economy,” he said.

The amendment tied legislator salaries to median household income in Massachusetts, with the Governor responsible for determining the rate of change every two-year session.