By: Henry N. Kolenky/Maryland Correspondent
HARPER: Maryland County Electoral District #2 Representative Anthony F. Williams has pleaded with his colleagues in Plenary to increase the salaries of legislative workers to allow them to cope with the prevailing economic situation of the country. Representative Williams is also seeking the creation of additional positions in the district offices of lawmakers
A Press Statement issued by the office of Representative Williams said contingent on the intervention of the Maryland County lawmaker in Plenary, the Plenary of the House of Representatives has requested its joint committees on Ways, Means and Labor, and Rules, Orders and Administration to review the pay grade of legislative staffers.
A statement issued by the House’s Press Bureau Thursday, February 8, 2024, disclosed that plenary, the highest decision making body at the House, reached the decision following a communication from the Maryland County District 2 Representative, Anthony F. Williams, a former student leader of the University of Liberia.
“Hon. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, following my certification and subsequent induction by this Honorable Body, I received a package from the Chief Clerk’s office containing the House’s Rules and Procedures, LACC Assets Declaration form, and a breakdown of staffers’ salaries and coupons, Representative Williams narrated to the Plenary.
The Maryland County lawmaker noted that immediately upon receipt of the aforementioned documents, he paid keen interest to the pay grade of staffers, considering their income tax deduction and their net pay matched against the prevailing economic living conditions of today, coupled with other challenges, and added that the pay grade of legislative staffers seems disturbing.
He indicated that the legislative workers have dedicated all of their time and energy exclusively to work, unlike workers of other government Ministries and Agencies that are involved in programs and activities with extra benefits to complement their salaries.
“Honorable Speaker and distinguished colleagues, with the above conditions, I write to request the indulgence of this Honorable Body for increment of salary and benefits of our staff because these people are our direct representatives in our various districts and taking all of the intellectual bullets, verbal or physical attacks, security and other forms of intimidations as well as making meaningful contributions on our behalf at times”, Representative Williams further pleaded with his colleagues.
In a latest development, the Maryland County District #2 Representative, is also seeking the creation of additional positions in the district offices of lawmakers. They include, Youth, Women, Religious, and Persons living with disability, Disadvantage Youths, Scholarship, Security Coordinators and Information Officer.
Meanwhile, the two committees are expected to report within two weeks
Comments are closed.