Get Involved by Sending a Letter (Snail Mail!)
One of the more powerful things you could to help us would be to send a letter to each of your two Legislators letting them know your feelings on this issue. While an E-Mail may help, an old fashion letter will help a lot more. You will need to invest in a few sheets of paper, an envelope and some stamps, but the message it will send will be priceless.
Step 1:
Find your legislators, you will have two: Find My Legislator (malegislature.gov). Their mailing address will can be found on their State Profile.
Step 2:
On the computer, or using a pen and ink if you want to be very old school, send them a message like this. Feel free to use this wording if you are personally at a loss. Just make sure you agree with it!
Dear [Legislator's Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my concern regarding the current process by which elected city leaders can set their pay with minimal oversight from the voters. While I firmly believe that our elected representatives deserve fair compensation, including appropriate raises, I also feel that voters should have a meaningful role in this process.
As it stands, the primary recourse for voters to challenge these pay raises is through the collection of signatures to override them. However, the allotted twenty days for this task is insufficient time for voters to effectively respond.
I believe that addressing these concerns involves two simple changes to Massachusetts law:
A change to General Law Part I, Title VII, Chapter 43, Section 17A which empowers City Councils to set pay for themselves and mayors.
A change to General Law Part I, Title VII, Chapter 43, Section 42 which gives voters twenty days to override a pay raise.
The changes I support are well described on the webpage of ajustmass.org, an organization I support that is striving to update these laws.
Implementing these changes would ensure that any raises enacted do not take effect until after the next election cycle, providing voters with the oversight necessary to prevent inappropriate raises. If a raise is needed sooner, it should be decided by a vote at the ballot box. This approach allows elected officials to pass reasonable raises while preventing potential abuses by those willing to retire after a substantial pay increase.
Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to your support in making these necessary changes to ensure fairness and transparency in the compensation of our elected city leaders.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]