HARRISBURG — Refusing automatic pay raises isn't simply a matter of just saying "no" for Gov. Ed Rendell, state lawmakers and other government officials who have pledged to do so in light of Pennsylvania's faltering economy.

By law, the 2.8 percent cost-of-living increases must be included in their paychecks, regardless of whether they want it. Lawmakers and judges started receiving the increases Dec. 1, and Rendell and his Cabinet secretaries are in line for similar salary bumps to kick in next month.

"I can't deduct it from their salary," said Alexis Brown, comptroller for the state House of Representatives.

Instead, anyone rejecting the raise must send a refund to the state treasury if they want the money to remain in the general fund. The officials still have to pay state and federal income taxes on the raises.

Treasury Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Kupchinsky said the agency has received refunds from five to 10 lawmakers so far, but she did not know how much money they paid.

While Rendell and legislative leaders have expressed hope that others will follow their example, they acknowledge that they cannot force Cabinet secretaries, senior executive staffers, or rank-and-file lawmakers to do so.

"There's certainly no legal recourse, but we expect that everyone who doesn't have a particular need for a small bump in salary to do as the governor intends to do," Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said.

Donating the money to charity is also an option, and at least one lawmaker, Rep. Rick Taylor, D-Montgomery, has said he intends to so do.

Bob Caton, spokesman for House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, said that both Eachus and Keith McCall, the Democratic nominee for House speaker, expect to refund their raises to the treasury.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said although he is encouraging members of his caucus to follow his lead, he is not exerting any pressure on them or discouraging them from making a charitable donation instead. He said one advantage to refunding the raise to the treasury, however, is that lawmakers will have a public record of their choice.

Pileggi said his refund to the treasury amounts to $1,646 for the year.