Attorney: Illegal For Boston City Council To Approve Pay Raise

BOSTON (AP) — A Boston City Council committee delayed taking action on a proposal to raise counselors' pay by nearly 29 percent after a staff attorney said doing so would violate state law.

Henry Luthin said Monday that Massachusetts ethics law prohibits government officials from voting on matters in which they or their families have a financial interest. He said the raises could be permitted if they took effect in January 2016, when a new council takes office.

Luthin is the city's assistant corporation counsel. He spoke at a City Hall hearing.

City Council President Bill Linehan has proposed boosting council pay by $25,000, from $87,500 to $112,500.

Council members expressed mixed views, acknowledging it would be awkward to vote on their own pay.

The council's last raise was in 2006.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports

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