Legislature approves pay raise

By Howell Dennis

CITY EDITOR

CROWLEY – The pay raise that state legislators approved for themselves and is tentatively due to go into effect July 1, has not gone unnoticed by the citizens of Acadia Parish. The bill, authored by Ann Duplessis, D-New Orleans, was approved by the legislature by a vote of 56-45 in the House and 20-18 in the Senate.

The increase will double their base pay from $16,800 to $37,500. The pay increase would also increase their compensation package to nearly $60,000 a year- up from about $35,000 they are making today.

Some legislators such as Karen St. Germain, D-Pierre Part, voted against the raise and refuse to accept it.

“I gave a promise to my voters and nothing’s changed for me,” she said.

Most Crowley residents who voiced their opinions Wednesday morning had a similar opinion.

“I don’t think this is going to sit well with some of our citizens who are working and scrambling just to pay bills and put food on the table,’ said Crowley Alderman Elliot Dore.

“These guys are supposed to be meeting to figure out how to help us,” said Kermit Gautreaux, a Crowley laborer. “Not putting more money in their pockets.”

Governor Bobby Jindal is taking some heat due to the legislation. During his campaign last year, he promised voters that he wouldn’t allow legislators to approve pay raises for themselves. Now he appears to be letting the legislation become a law that would do just that.

In a statement Monday, Jindal stated that he opposes the raises but would not stop it from taking effect.

At least one Crowley worker found some humor in the situation.

“You mean to tell me that these politicians were only receiving a $16,000 salary,” he laughed. “Man I make more than that.”