Montgomery, AL – Nine members of the Alabama House have written letters refusing the automatic cost-of-living pay increase for legislators that went into effect last week.
House Clerk Greg Pappas said Tuesday representatives have until April 15 to turn down the raise.
According to House records, Republican Reps. Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa, Paul DeMarco of Homewood, Blaine Galliher of Rainbow City, Mike Hill of Columbiana and Cam Ward of Alabaster and Democrats Alan Booth of Troy, Alan Harper of Aliceville, Terry Spicer of Elba turned down the raise.
Democratic Rep. Lesley Vance of Phenix City sumbitted a letter later Tuesday turning down the raise.
Vance said he didn't feel it would be appropriate for him to receive a raise with such high unemployment rates in the state.
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