Most of the NJGOP caucus voted against a controversial new bill – adopted by the state legislature – which includes a 67% boost to legislators’ pay. A few Republican members supported it, and two were willing to offer defenses for their votes on social media.
State Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) is offering a full-throated defense of the measure and accused “no” voting members of playing politics.
“[A]lmost every legislator I’ve spoken to acknowledges this,” wrote O’Scanlon. “They just did the political calculation (which I don’t hold against them) and decided a ‘no’ vote was easy. That’s just not how I roll. Let’s see how many refuse to take the extra $.”
O’Scanlon also cited inflation, expenses, asserted that “the job is part time in name only,” and his belief that the “current salary isn’t enough to enable lower income people to take it on, or take us on,” in addition to the fact that he donates his own income.
Testa echoed his colleague’s argument, specially as it relates to legislative staff salary bumps which were also baked into the bill.
“Legislative staffers, like everyone in New Jersey, deserve a liveable wage,” the Vineland senator opined on X. “The current allotments given by the state simply do not cut it. If I could give my legislative staff triple what they are going to get from this bill for the work they did on behalf of our constituents during the COVID-19 era alone, I would.”
The pair’s comments came in response to a question from an X follower.
Happy to answer this question:
I voted for the bill mainly because we are desperate to keep staff and the current allotment just isn’t enough. Staff salary increase was/is essential and desperately needed. The legislative salary increase – given the following facts:
-there… https://t.co/dqGKVkSbRA— Declan O'Scanlon (@declanoscanlon) January 9, 2024
I echo the sentiments that my colleague @declanoscanlon outlined below.
Legislative staffers, like everyone in New Jersey, deserve a liveable wage. The current allotments given by the state simply do not cut it. If I could give my legislative staff triple what they are going to… https://t.co/r4xnk4Ym9w
— Mike Testa (@TestaForNJ) January 10, 2024
