Rep. Jamie Flick (R- Lycoming/Union) released the following statement on the status of his salary as state representative during the budget impasse.
“As many of you may know, I have opted not to receive my paycheck as state representative until the budget is fully passed.
“I was among 12 of 203 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that asked for our paychecks to be withheld for the month of July.
“And I am committed to continue this withholding throughout August (and beyond if necessary) until the state budget is resolved.
“I am doing this because I believe that one of the most important jobs of the General Assembly is adopting the annual state budget. In recent years there have been numerous occurrences of the annual budget not being adopted before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1 as required by law. When the budget is not enacted in a timely manner, many payments to counties, school districts, service providers and nonprofits, to name a few, are not timely made and many important programs may be interrupted, and/or positions may be cut, forcing people to lose their jobs.
“I know well how this feels. As a private business owner, I was forced to make difficult decisions 10 years ago when the state budget was not completed for nine months after the fiscal year began. Because my company works primarily with county governments and agencies, I could not take a paycheck from my own company and had to consider cutting hours for other employees.
“This is not how our state should operate. Therefore, in addition to withholding my pay, I am pleased to co-sponsor legislation that will require the compensation of the governor, lieutenant governor and members of the General Assembly to be suspended during a budget impasse.
“This will put legislators on similar footing with others who depend upon the annual appropriation process.”
For more information, contact Flick through his website, Rep.Flick.com, or at his district office, 1000 Commerce Park Drive, Suite 103, Williamsport, telephone 570-321-1270.
