Politics & Government

Manley: Cut Legislative Pay by 10 Percent

State representative candidate also supports law requiring voter approval for legislative pay raises.

Editor’s note: The following was taken in part from a press release issued by Natalie Manley’s campaign. The 98th District includes .

A Joliet Democrat is promising to do her part to help solve the state’s budget crisis by voting to cut legislative salaries by 10 percent.

Natalie Manley, who is facing off against Republican in the race for the 98th District state representative seat, also said she supports new legislation requiring voters to approval all pay raises for lawmakers.

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“The state has a serious budget problem,” Manley said. “As I walk door-to-door, I meet many taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet and who can barely afford the roof over their heads while paying for gasoline and groceries. The politicians who got us into this mess don’t deserve a raise, and they should share the burden.”

Manley said she also supports eliminating legislative perks that will put the state further in debt, including ending free taxpayer-funded healthcare for retired politicians and judges who already receive state-funded pensions.

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The candidate has vowed to work to repeal the state income tax hike.

“As a single mother who got out of an abusive marriage, I put myself through college and worked two jobs on the night shift in order to provide for my family,” continued Manley.

“I’ve made it through some tough times by working hard and that’s what it’s going to take to get out of the mess the politicians in Springfield have created.  It’s wrong for politicians to keep asking taxpayers to bail them out, when they should be making some sacrifices just like we are.  I am determined to fight for fairness and to use my accounting and auditing skills to help balance the budget, improve the economy and create jobs.”

Manley’s bid for the state representative seat is her first run for office. She works as an accountant and  is one of the hosts of WJOL’s “Lynne, Mary & Natalie” show.


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