By Randall Chase, Associated Press
DOVER — Delaware lawmakers have voted to reject a state panel’s recommendations of higher salaries for legislators, judges and high-ranking state officials.
The Senate voted unanimously Thursday to reject the recommendations of the Delaware Compensation Commission, following a unanimous vote in the House last week.
Lawmakers have said the pay raises are ill-advised at a time when the state officials say Delaware is facing a budget shortfall of about $350 million for the upcoming fiscal year.
Under state law, the commission’s recommendations take effect automatically unless lawmakers vote them down in their entirety.
The recommendations included higher salaries and expense allowances for legislators, higher salaries for statewide elected officials except the governor, and pay raises for judges and several cabinet posts.