The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #117120 Message #2520737
Posted By: Ebbie
20-Dec-08 - 01:08 PM
Thread Name: BS: But they have done such a good job!
Subject: RE: BS: But they have done such a good job!
Until recently I didn't realize how little Alaskan legislators are paid. It is true that they are not full time employees but just about every year they meet in Special Sessions later in the year which make it difficult to maintain another job.
The body that oversees them is now recommending a pay raise for them and a lot of Alaskans are objecting.
Juneau Empire, December 19, 2008:
"Even with the pay raises proposed by the commission, compensation for elected representatives will still be modest.
"The commission recommended boosting legislative salaries from $24,012 to $50,400, but eliminating "long-term per diem," pay for daily work outside sessions that previously boosted salaries. The amounts vary, but the change would increase pay for all legislators, while also leveling it.
"The other three members of the commission all have a history with the Legislature. It includes two former Senate presidents, Rick Halford and Mike Miller, and Gordon Harrison of Juneau, former director of the Legislative Research Agency.
"The commission also proposed a raise for Gov. Sarah Palin, from $125,000 to $150,000, and leveling pay of Palin's Cabinet members at $135,000.
"Commission Chairman Halford said the total of the proposed raises would be a relatively small amount, about a couple of hundred thousand dollars.
"The average legislative pay would go to $63,900 with the adoption of the new pay scale and the inclusion of short-term per diem during sessions.
"That's a good start, but is that enough to get good people to run for office," asked Jason Brune, executive director of the Resource Development Council, a pro-industry activist group.
Salaries are set by statute at $24,012 per year - the same level they received since the Legislature froze its own salary in 1991; In 1996, the Legislature removed itself from the State salary schedule eliminating them from any cost-of-living raises enjoyed by other state employees; Legislators are not eligible for the 3.5% annual merit increases received by State employees; Legislators have not had a salary increase in over nine years; Legislators pay for their health care cost increase that went into effect July 1, 1999 for most state employees; Legislators do not receive leave benefits enjoyed by State employees. LEGISLATOR PER DIEM
Here are some facts about legislative per diems:
Session per diem is tied to the federal per diem rate which is set by the Department of Defense for Alaska and is NOT raised or lowered by the Legislature; Per diem is a reimbursement for expenses, NOT salary; Most Legislators must pay to maintain two homes during session; Since January 16, 1995, legislative session per diem has risen five times and dropped five times; Overall the per diem has increased just $10.00 for non-Juneau Legislators and $7.50 for Juneau Legislators (SEE CHART BELOW).