Members of Congress are due to get their annual raises this month, but many of their constituents believe they should forgo the bump in pay in light of tough economic times.

"How can they even think about it?" asked Kathy Krystock, of Meriden.

Because of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, the 2.8 percent, or $4,700, raise scheduled for 2009 is automatic unless Congress opts to pass legislation that prohibits or revises the adjustment. Individual members of Congress can also turn down their raises.

This year's scheduled raise would give the average U.S. senator or representative a salary of $174,000.

"I think that's a little too much," said Phyllis Vitali, of Meriden.

That was also the reaction from Meriden's Laurie Martin.

"I think they get paid enough," she said.

U.S. Rep. Christopher S. Murphy, D-5th District, agrees

with his constituents, said Kristen Bossi, his spokeswoman.

"Chris supports efforts to rescind next year's congressional pay increase," she said. "In these tough economic times, Congress should tighten its belt just like millions of families are."

Other members of Connecticut's delegation could not be reached for comment this week, but Murphy is not the only member of Congress opposed to the raise.

U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, told United Press International that the raise is unconscionable, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, chairwoman of the Senate's Rules and Administration Committee, told the Sacramento Bee she wants nothing to do with the raise. If she gets a raise, Feinstein plans to give it to charity.

Common Cause, a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy

organization, has not taken a stance on salary increases for members of Congress, but the organization typically does not oppose them, said spokeswoman Mary Boyle.

The raises are cost of living increases, and pay for members of Congress needs to be commensurate with the credentials of those who hold the position, she said. It's in the best interests of the country to attract the most qualified people to the job. Boyle added that serving in Congress is costly because members often have to have two homes, one in Washington, D.C., and one in their home state.

But the economy argument is not lost on Boyle. She realizes congressional pay raises are a politically sensitive issue, particularly this year.

Most people think that members of Congress do well financially, and it would be a great gesture for Congress to forgo this year's raise, said Scott L. McLean, a political science professor at Quinnipiac University.

"I don't know that they'll do that," he added, surmising that if Congress did give up the increase, the sacrifice would go a long way in repairing the governing body's reputation.

In the aisles of a Stop & Shop in Meriden Tuesday, Vitali compared prices.

"I'll go for the lesser one," she said, noting that she has had to cut back on her spending because of the economy and that Congress should do the same.

If Congress does take its raise, Vitali predicts that

people across the country will be angry.

Last year, Congress chose to revise its raise. Instead of getting a 2.7 percent hike, they gave themselves 2.5 percent, bumping their salaries to $169,300. Salaries for members of Congress have increased by $32,600 over the past 10 years, and they have denied themselves raises six times since the pay raise regulations included in the Ethics Reform Act were first used in 1991.

afalcone@record-journal.com

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