AUGUSTA -- Despite hard economic times that are forcing deep budget cuts, Maine lawmakers are getting cost-of-living pay increases.

A law that's been in effect for years says increases in the Consumer Price Index must be applied every December. The 3.7 percent rise calculated last month gives newly elected lawmakers $13,526 for this year's session.

That's still a lot less than legislators get in other states. Massachusetts lawmakers are in line to receive a 5.5 percent pay hike, lifting their base pay to $61,440. In Maine, the law bars increases of over 5 percent.

There's no provision in a budget revision package in Maine to cancel the pay increases. But a spokesman for Senate President Libby Mitchell says everything's on the table for the next two-year spending plan, which will be unveiled Friday.