2008 News

June 23, 2008

“Commissioners Urge Governor, Legislature to Pay Mandated Share of DA’s Salary”
Despite Act 57, State Reduces Funding, Leaves Burden on County Taxpayers

Despite Act 57, which stipulates that the state must pay 65 percent of the district attorney’s (DA’s) salary, a multi-million shortfall is being planned in the state budget that will leave Bucks County taxpayers with a nearly $100,000 unfunded bill.

The Board of Bucks County Commissioners is urging Governor Ed Rendell and the legislative delegation to restore the funding, and to compensate Bucks and other counties for previous shortfalls as well.  Act 57 mandates that counties have full-time district attorneys (with the exception of eighth-class), and includes the provision that the state pay 65 percent of the salary.

In a letter to Rendell, Commissioners Jim Cawley, Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia wrote, “We implore you to address the shortcoming by allocating approximately $7.5 million to honor the Commonwealth’s obligation, which is clearly stated in Act 57. We also ask that you compensate counties for previous shortfalls occurring in the reimbursements of 2006 and 2007.”

In Bucks County, the district attorney earns an annual salary of $151,114. Click here to see the commissioners’ letter.