Council COLAS, at least one more member taking the cash...
Two Council members who had been previously undecided about taking a cost-of-living raise in July have both been receiving the extra cash all summer, according to city payroll records.
Council COLAS, at least one more member taking the cash...
Catherine Lucey
Two Council members who had been previously undecided about taking a cost-of-living raise in July have both been receiving the extra cash all summer, according to city payroll records.
Councilwoman Cindy Bass said she will be keeping the 2.8 percent COLA raise, which was available to elected officials and some administration members on July 1. Still, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell said she will give the money back, but hasn’t decided where to donate it – be it to charity or the city’s general fund.
Mayor Nutter is giving back the COLA, but seven other Council members are taking the cash. Elected officials are eligible for the COLA — cost of living adjustment — under a 2003 law, which grants annual raises based on the rate of inflation as determined by the increase in the Consumer Price Index. This year that works out to 2.8 percent, or $3,365 for most Council members.
Most of the veteran Council members and other elected officials have passed on some raises and/or given money back over the past four years. While Bass is taking the COLA, she does not take a city car.
I would love to see printed a picture of all the ELECTED officials with weather they are taking the money or not.
— Centrist- So council members got their COLA because there was inflation? How odd that when I get into arguments with liberals, they claim there is no inflation and that is why Social Security recipients didn't get theirs for two years in a row. Bottom line is the elderly who need their money didn't get those increase; city council members who definitely don't need it do get it. Something is really wrong with this picture. What a bunch of greedy pigs they are.— The_Unknown-Poster
- they gave a big set of Ba**s doing this— RichH
Comment removed.- Outrageous thievery! Mayor Cutback, where is the COLA for our Firefighters? Where are ANY raises for any city employees since 2007? Since most people are glad to simply have a job these days, tell us how you justify AUTOMATIC raises? SHAME!— Getinline
- Councilman Bill Green, who is taking the COLA, has given up $22,752 in salary since 2008. He said the decision is complicated.
"I think everybody has to make their own personal decision."
There is no "personal decision" about this issue, if your constituents (who the council WORK for)don't get a "cost of living raise", then neither do they!!! END OF STORY!!!— Dadair1 - I'd like to know who created that 2003 law that adjusted based on CPI. I bet it's the same bunghole who said elected officials can participate in DROP and can retire for one day unlike the working stiffs who must retire on the date without any options to change.
- These people do not deserve the COLA or city owned vehicles. And get rid of DROP while you're at it.
- "Show me the money"! The welfare state is alive an well in Philly.— dogman5
- How interesting that the city has money to pay City Council COLAs, but must raise sales taxes, property taxes, and other "fees" because we are broke... I would love to hear the explanation for that.— dee99999
- If the COLA is donated to charity, there's a tax write-off.So, it's not that much of a sacrifice.— Joshua911
- The big question is why do these part time city employees even hace a COLA no one else in the city has one every one of these greedy pigs should be voted out and by the way why do we have 17 useless council members 10 is enough eliminate useless at large after all it is only a part time job they can practice bowling instead— the commodore
