Gov. Robert Bentley speaks about job development at the Economic Development Association of Alabama winter conference on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center in Montgomery, Ala.(AP Photo/Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh)PHILLIP RAWLS, Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Gov. Robert Bentley says Alabama legislators ought to roll back part of their big pay raise at least temporarily to show they are willing to share the pain while cutting state spending.
Bentley, who is working without pay, made the comment while preparing for the legislative session starting Tuesday.
Alabama lawmakers gave themselves a 61 percent raise in 2007. They also provided for annual cost of living raises that have boosted their total salary and expenses payments to more than $52,000 annually.
Republican Sen. Gerald Dial says he and others will offer a resolution to repeal the raise. But he doubts their proposal will pass because some legislators have become addicted to the higher pay.