Nov. 12, 2021
HARRISBURG – Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) introduced legislation in December to extend the pay freeze for public officials that he succeeded in enacting last year.
Act 79 of 2020 placed a freeze on Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, attorney general, auditor general, the heads of departments, members of boards and commissions, and the judiciary through this year.
House Bill 583 would have extended the freeze through 2022.
Ryan’s bill was unanimously voted out of the House State Government Committee in March but will not be acted on before the raise goes into effect Dec. 1.
“I remain extremely concerned about the financial stability of the Commonwealth,” Ryan said. As such I will forego an increase in 2022 and will present a check to the state treasurer in December 2021 for the full amount of the annual increase minus taxes paid.”