York County News

Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill of York has announced her decision to return her 2024 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the state treasury. This move continues her ongoing commitment to government accountability and transparency, marking the fourth consecutive year she has declined this automatic salary increase. The COLA, established by a 1995 state law, is designed to adjust salaries for inflation for Pennsylvania legislators, executive officials, including the governor, and judges.

Phillips-Hill stated, "At a time when families across York County and the Commonwealth are making tough financial decisions, it is only fair that we hold ourselves to the same standard." She emphasized the importance of treating taxpayers' money with care as families face rising costs.

In 2020, lawmakers and former Governor Tom Wolf supported an initiative to suspend the automatic COLA. Since then, Phillips-Hill has consistently returned her annual COLA to the state Treasury for inclusion in the General Fund.

The senator has been a proponent of reforms aimed at enhancing government efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Her decision to return the 2024 COLA aligns with efforts to restore trust in public institutions and demonstrate accountability among elected officials.

"Serving the people of York County is my greatest honor," Phillips-Hill said. "I will continue to challenge the status quo to ensure that state government leads by example."

Throughout her Senate career, Phillips-Hill has opted out of both the state's pension program and health insurance benefits provided by the Senate. She also uses her own vehicle for commuting without claiming mileage reimbursement.

In 2021, she spearheaded an initiative for transparency by having all Senate expenditures posted on a publicly accessible website. Additionally, she regularly updates her office expenditures on her personal website.