Mass. senators agree to unpaid furloughs

BOSTON, April 29 (UPI) -- Members of the Massachusetts Senate say they will take unpaid furloughs because they are "sharing in the pain" of the recession.

All 40 senators agreed Tuesday to participate in the 3-to-5-day furloughs, which leaders say is more than symbolic and will save Massachusetts $50,000, The Boston Globe reported.

"We're all feeling the effects of this economic downturn, and we are all sharing in the pain," Senate President Therese Murray, a Democrat, said in a news release.

"As the Senate moves forward with its reform agenda and continues work on its own budget recommendations and revenue options, we must remember that we're in this together."

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei agreed, telling the Globe the move was "just another way that we as legislators can do our part to help the commonwealth get through these difficult economic times."