Officials receive pay raises while retirees see costs rise

Editor, The News:

In the Nov. 26 edition of The News, an article appeared on page A8 detailing the pay raises our state lawmakers, governor and judicial positions are to receive as mandated by a law created in the mid-1990s.

This increase is based on the rate of inflation.

Does the rate of inflation not affect the people who elected these lawmakers?

If the state is in poor financial condition, as stated by the governor and many state legislators, where does the money for these raises appear in the budget?

State universities must raise tuition because of education costs; however, the leaders of these institutions are to be given hefty raises. Local school districts may have to find new money because of the possible “voucher system” proposed by the governor. There are no funds for state retirees who retired before 2000.

I am one of these retirees and have not had a cost-of-living adjustment for 10 years. My health insurance premiums have increased each year for the past three years. I also understand the utilities are going to increase rates in 2012 to cover the cost of inflation.

In order to help relieve some of the pressure on older state citizens, I suggest the legislators, the executive branch staff and the judicial branch of this great state donate their raises to a fund that would help the people who retired prior to 2000.

Chuck Cuba

Moody Avenue

New Castle