Many residents may have noticed a flyer in their door regarding state Representative Natalie Higgins, (D-Leominster). The flier focuses on Rep. Higgins’ support of a bill she co-sponsored with Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) to make Massachusetts a sanctuary state. It’s a gift to the farthest of the far left.

Shortly after Higgins co-sponsored Eldridge’s legislation, the Massachusetts Democratic Party put into their party platform support for making Massachusetts a sanctuary state. Higgins’ and Eldridge’s bill actually prohibits local and state law enforcement from applying Federal immigration laws in the state. As you know, some cities and towns in Massachusetts have already implemented sanctuary city statutes, but many have rejected them. Recently, Greenfield said "NO!" and rejected efforts to become a sanctuary city.

But choice isn't something Higgins supports. She's proposing the state overrule local decision making in towns like Greenfield. 

According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, illegal immigration costs Massachusetts taxpayers $1.8 billion each year. If Higgins’ bill passes and ties the hands of law enforcement, that number will soar.

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is informing the residents of Rep. Higgins’ district to let them know that she's leading the charge to make Massachusetts a sanctuary state. If controlling illegal immigration matters to you, contact Representative Higgins and urge her to drop her support for the sanctuary state legislation. Her office phone number is 617-722-2060.

Through a Freedom of Information Act request, MassFiscal obtained the paycheck records for lawmakers before and after the legislative pay raise vote. We compared the bi-weekly records of all 200 lawmakers. 

We're publishing it on our website for two reasons. First, we believe that the transparency on how the government spends our tax dollars is crucial. Only the professional politicians win when information like this is kept secret. Second, the slippery stories legislators are telling about this vote are outrageous. We think people deserve the truth.

A few highlights: The biggest boosts came in the Senate, with some members earning more than 100% in paychecks compared to before the pay raise vote. The average paycheck for lawmakers is 37% but the Senate bump was higher, at 65%.

Senator Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester), the highest earner in either chamber, saw a 145% percent bump. Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), who heads the Ethics Committee, will receive an additional $3,254.55 per paycheck this year over what she earned before the vote. Creem's 121% percent increase is a smidge less increase, than Senator Mark Montigny’s 128% or an additional $3,446.86 per paycheck, post "emergency" pay raise legislation.

The big winner in the House is Rep. Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy), who was granted the largest percentage increase (108% percent) in the lower chamber, boosting his paycheck to $5,591.32 from $2682.62. The legislation's author in the House, Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), increased his annual pay by $55,315 or about ten percent more than the average salary of a firefighter in his home town.  

The list is interesting reading. See for yourself, by clicking through on the links below.

This morning, the Boston Herald uncovered a new layer of the Pay Raise saga: thirty-seven lawmakers who voted for the pay raise and received $15,000 - $20,000 in travel expenses are still receiving back pay in Per Diems.

Previously, lawmakers could claim back pay on travel expenses in the form of Per Diems. Some opted out while others claimed thousand in reimbursements. Following the pay raise, lawmakers did away with the Per Diem process in favor of lump sum expense accounts that now count towards their pensions. However, due to a little known rule that allows lawmakers to retroactively readjust Per Diems, legislators are continuing to bring in more money. 

This developing story comes after Beacon Hill leadership declined, for a second consecutive year, to establish a sales tax-free weekend.

See the list of lawmakers who have claimed Per Diems after voting for the pay raise below. Read the Boston Herald story here.