BROOKS CALLS FOR 5% PAY CUT FOR CONGRESS
Jun 07, 2010
12th Congressional District Candidate Paula Brooks calls on Congress to take a 5% cut in pay until the budget is balanced
Columbus, OH – With federal budget deficits soaring, Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks said today that in Congress she will push for a 5% pay cut for all members of Congress. The pay cut would remain in place until Congress is able to balance the budget and get soaring deficit spending in check.
“As a Franklin County commissioner, my colleagues and I have made tough choices to balance our budgets and keep the county’s fiscal house in order,” said Brooks. “Meanwhile, Washington insiders like Pat Tiberi have been doing just the opposite. Over the last 10 years, Congressman Tiberi has voted six times to raise his own pay, which now stands at $174,000 per year.”
“I believe it’s about time Congress started living by the same rules Ohio families do: when times are tough, you tighten your belt,” Brooks continued. “In Congress, I will push for legislation that will cut Congressional pay by 5% until the budget is balanced. We need someone in Washington who will stand up for middle class families and small businesses back home and make the tough choices that will help balance our budget.”
Since taking office in 2005, Paula Brooks has worked with the other members of the Franklin County Commission to erase a $60 million deficit. The commission enacted a fiscal sustainability policy, a debt policy and developed a five year plan. As a result Franklin County is the only county in Ohio to achieve a double-AAA bond rating three times and has been able to save over $183 million.
“It is time to send someone to Congress who will stand up for Ohio families and small businesses — instead of increasing his own pay by more than $30,000,” Brooks concluded.
