Massachusetts governors give up their salries...is this unheard of?

[Pammipoo]

Romney and Healey will not take pay

BOSTON – In a nod to the state’s fiscal crisis, Gov.-elect Mitt Romney and his lieutenant governor announced yesterday they will not accept a paycheck as long as they are in office.

Romney said he and Lt. Gov.-elect Kerry Healey opted to forgo their salaries, a combined $255,000 annually, “in the spirit of volunteerism” and to help boost the pay for his senior-level staff members.

“We face huge challenges in the coming year that require sacrifices of us all,” Romney said in a written statement. “This is a symbolic move that we hope sets the appropriate tone and which demonstrates our strong commitment to public service.”

Given that they are both extremely well off, it’s not a strain on their personal finances. Has this been done before, or is it just a huge publicity stunt?

[friedo]

Mike Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, had his salary reduced to $1 a year from the standard $195,000, IIRC.

Of course, Mike Bloomberg is already worth $4 billion.

[hajario]

Remember Ross Perot? He said that he would do the same thing if elected President.

Haj

[Mockingbird]

That is cool. Very cool.

[kiz]

*Originally posted by friedo *
**Mike Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, had his salary reduced to $1 a year from the standard $195,000, IIRC.

Of course, Mike Bloomberg is already worth $4 billion. **

The same’s true about Romney – although I don’t know if he’s worth $4 billion. Probably very close to it, though.

[Flymaster]

*Originally posted by Hastur *
**That is cool. Very cool. **

Yes, except that they’re giving raises to their top staff members with the savings. From $130,000 to about $160,000. That’s going to help the economy. :rolleyes:

[Flymaster]

*Originally posted by kiz *
**The same’s true about Romney – although I don’t know if he’s worth $4 billion. Probably very close to it, though. **

Oops, I forgot to add, the same is true about Kerry Murphy-Healy. She’s also worth in the high single millions to low 10 millions, I’d guess, from having seen her house, and what else I know of her.

[Zebra]

I thought that JFK didn’t take a salary as President or Senator. I heard/read that a long time ago. I wonder if it was true.