MassGOP Condemns Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka's Financial Manipulation of Democratic Lawmakers

Boston, MA - A recent column from the Boston Globe has shed light on the questionable financial incentives employed by Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka to maintain control over Democratic lawmakers. In 2013, 62 members of the House received stipends. By 2023, under Mariano and his predecessor, over 109 members, approximately two-thirds of the chamber, were on the leadership’s payroll. These stipends range from $7,096 to $109,163, on top of their roughly $74,000 base salary, all funded by taxpayers.

Collectively, the House and Senate leadership has disbursed $4.9 million in stipends to their top members. Included among those who received stipends are members of 12 different committees that did not hold a single hearing or consider any bills this session, yet they still received handsome stipends. While salaries have increased for Democrats who align with their leaders, legislative productivity has sharply declined. The only evident increase has been Mariano and Spilka’s control over their members.

A former House member candidly discussed how stipends have altered the power dynamics and input of rank-and-file members. Previously, ahead of major bills, members were polled, and differences were hashed out through debate. Speaker Mariano has circumvented this process by paying members directly for their cooperation. Those who refuse to comply are stripped of their committee assignments, impacting their livelihoods.

MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale commented on these borderline corrupt tactics, stating, “To put it simply, Democratic party bosses are dangling financial incentives to their members to avoid any opportunity for public dialogue, and ensure they fall in line with their agenda. This goes beyond usual political power structures; this is a direct transfer of cash. Moreover, they’re not even getting anything done. Their shady games aren’t proving fruitful. They have total power, yet they’re using it solely to solidify their own standing and control.”

“Our top two legislative leaders are the highest-paid state legislators in the country, other than New York. They are wasting taxpayer dollars to secure their re-election and maintain power while pursuing costly political agendas that don’t make Massachusetts more affordable or competitive. Residents of the Commonwealth must band together and send a decisive message that we will no longer sit idly by. It’s time we elect Republicans to combat the Democratic supermajority’s power dynamics and end the inefficient one-party rule,” Carnevale concluded.