State representatives from the North Shore are voluntarily giving up a week's pay in a show of support for employees of the House of Representatives who are facing mandatory furlough days.
"I think it's appropriate for us to share the burden," Rep. John Keenan of Salem said.
"This will be like the third time I've taken a furlough," said Rep. Joyce Spiliotis of Peabody, who used to work in the state court system. "I don't think it's fair to require the staff to take them and not to take one yourself."
The voluntary action follows the announcement Friday by House leaders that staff members must take five unpaid furlough days between now and the end of the fiscal year on June 30, resulting in a savings of $620,000.
"Every corner of state government has been hit by the recession, and the House is no different," House Speaker Robert DeLeo said in a statement.
Since the salaries of elected representatives are set by the state Constitution, they cannot be involuntarily altered, DeLeo said. However, he and Brad Jones Jr., the House minority leader, asked the representatives to join in the furlough program, and many seem to be going along.
"I haven't heard of anybody who isn't taking it," said Rep. Brad Hill, the House minority whip from Ipswich. "From what I can gather, at least from my (Republican) caucus, most will be taking the furlough."
A spokesman for DeLeo said they won't have a final count until Friday when furlough forms have to be returned.
Representatives make a base pay of $61,440. Committee chairmen earn an additional $7,500, and leadership positions pay even more.
Several representatives said they realize that their constituents in the private sector are also facing difficult times.
"I think it's the right thing to do," Rep. Ted Speliotis of Danvers said. "It's a strong message to say to people that we're doing as much as possible to reduce the budget. ... Let's be realistic, this is the most difficult economy in our lifetime."
Reps. Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead and Mary Grant of Beverly are also taking pay cuts.
"It's a very difficult budget," Grant said. "You just do your part."
"It's a small sacrifice we all make to ensure that a few less jobs and services are cut," Ehrlich said.
Keenan, co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, said he also cut one committee staff position in anticipation of upcoming job reductions. His legislative aide, Lynne Montague, will take on committee issues, he said.
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