Gov. Charlie Baker needled the legislative pay hikes that lawmakers approved for themselves this week as “fiscally irresponsible,” but defended the Legislature’s process and stopped short of saying he’ll lobby lawmakers to sustain the veto he handed down on Friday.
The controversial $18 million package of pay raises for lawmakers, judges and constitutional officers was swept through the House and Senate this week with veto—proof majorities. Republican lawmakers were united in their opposition to the raises and Baker declared his veto plans after receiving the bill.
“For most people, the timing of this is inappropriate, and the scale and size of the adjustment is as well,” Baker said Friday during a press conference he called in his office to discuss the matter.
While Baker was coy about whether he would directly lobby lawmakers to reverse their votes, the party he leads was direct about its intentions. Digital ads are being launched by Republicans targeting freshman Democrats who voted for the pay raises — ten House newcomers voted for the bill and two new senators.
“These freshman Democrat legislators may be pleased enough with their performance in the past few weeks to merit a raise, but their employers — the taxpayers — might disagree. By voting to give themselves a taxpayer-funded raise before they have accomplished much of anything, these freshmen have shown they’re wasting no time adjusting to the Beacon Hill insider culture,” MassGOP spokesman Terry MacCormack said in a statement.