In hard times, Sen. Paul Shin believes Washington state legislators should share the sacrifices of other public servants in the state’s work force.

“We’re all in this together,” said Shin, D-Edmonds.

Shin has announced that he will join the ranks of state legislators taking a voluntary pay cut of 3 percent to match the percentage lawmakers voted this year to reduce the pay of public employees to help balance the budget.

“If Washington state citizens are facing cuts, legislators should be willing to do the same,” said Shin. “We should all suffer together and endure together, until the sunshine is out from behind the clouds.”

Starting July 1, Washington state employees have taken a 3-percent pay reduction as approved in ESSB 5860. Although legislators are exempt from the mandatory reductions, language in the bill encourages lawmakers to take voluntary pay cuts. As of today, more than one-third of Washington’s representatives and senators have opted to voluntarily decrease their salaries.

The pay reduction will remain in effect until June 29, 2013, and Shin says he will continue his pay decrease until that time or longer, until the state’s economic outlook has improved.

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For more information:         Ian Cope, Senate Democratic Communications, 360-786-7535

For interviews:                    Sen. Paull Shin, District Office, 425-673-1393