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Legislators say 61%raise is justified Despite a voice vote that masked individual Alabama legislators' votes on a controversial 61 percent pay raise last week, local legislators contacted by this newspaper readily admitted that they voted to raise their pay by $18,790-from $30,710 to $49,500. The vote came without any warning or previous discussion last Thursday, the second day of the regular session. House Speaker Seth Hammett and Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom quickly gaveled the raise through on voice votes in each chamber. State Sen. Pat Lindsey, D-Butler, said legislators have gone 16 years "without a penny" of an increase while there have been annual raises for other state employees. "Gasoline is $2.40 a gallon now and other costs have gone up a lot in 16 years," he reasoned. Lindsey said that out of his $31,000 legislative salary he claims about $25,000 in expenses on his income taxes leaving about $6,000 in income. "This [legislating] is a pretty expensive hobby," he said. Lindsey is considered one of the Democrat leaders in the divided Senate. He said that many of the Republican senators decrying the raise wanted it, too, and voted for it. "The Republicans came to us [the Democrats] in December and asked for us to help get a pay raise," Lindsey said. Lindsey represents Senate District 22, which includes the southern part of Choctaw County, a part of Clarke County, all of Escambia and Washington counties and parts of Mobile, Monroe, Baldwin and Conecuh. Rep. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, also voted for the raise. Keahey was just elected last year to represent House District 65, which includes parts of Choctaw and Clarke counties and all of Washington County. Keahey at 26 is the state's youngest legislator. He hasn't had to spend but just a few days in Montgomery but said that has been long enough for him to see how costly it will be. "I've been there long enough to understand those [legislators] who talk about how expensive it is. I've had to take money out of my pocket already to be there." Keahey said he was staying at the cheaper Capitol Inn and it was still costing him $1 a day just for a motel room. "The cost of living has changed and state employees have gotten several raises since legislators have. Many of them [legislators] who have been there thought it was time for a pay increase," the freshman legislator said in defending his vote. Rep. Thomas Jackson, DThomasville, who represents the other portion of Choctaw County in the legislature, House District 68, could not be reached for comment. Gov. Bob Riley has said he would likely veto the raise but there are apparently enough votes to override a veto. Critics of the voice vote on the matter want a roll call vote on any override vote so that people will know exactly how legislators voted on the controversial issue. Riley said he wouldn't veto the raise until next week to give Alabama citizens time to discuss the matter with their legislators. A Gumbo Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit the First Judicial Circuit's "Secret Safe Place for Newborns" was held at the Chatom Community Center last Thursday night. Guests enjoyed gumbo and potato soup along with a variety of desserts. Donated items were auctioned to benefit "A Secret Safe Place for Newborns." The program, Safe for mothers, Safe for newborns, has as its mission, "To rescue newborn babies from injury or death by providing confidential emergency and shelter in Clarke, Choctaw and Washington County hospitals and medical clinics. Newborn babies - up to 72 hours old - can be taken to one of the following "safe places" and given to any person working there. You are free to walk away; no questions asked. The hospital/medical facilities listed here will provide a SAFE place for the baby, giving medical attention and care until placement in an appropriate home is arranged: Southwest Ala. Medical Center, 33700 Hwy. 43, Thomasville, AL 36784; Grove Hill Memorial Hospital, 295 S. Jackson St., Grove Hill, AL 36451; Franklin Primary Health Center, 140 Front Street, Suite 4, Gilbertown, AL 36908; Washington County Hospital, 11650 St. Stephens Avenue, Chatom, AL 36518; Dr. Katherine A. Hensleigh's office, 1 Independence Square, Butler, AL 36904; Coffeeville Medical Clinic, 21 Long Avenue, Coffeeville, AL 36524; Jackson Medical Center, 220 Hospital Drive, Jackson, AL 36545. The Camilla Girls, junior and senior young ladies from throughout Washington County, volunteered their time to help with the benefit. Other volunteers helped with the program. For more information contact the office of District Attorney Spencer B. Walker at 251-275- 3144. The toll-free (24 hour) phone number is 1- 800-957-0307. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
