Senate Rejects Pay Increase for Elected Officials

Senate Bill 778 rejects the increases and authorizes legislative salaries and those of statewide elected officials and judges at their current levels.

Salem-News.com photo by Tim King

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Senate Wednesday approved a measure that rejects an increase in legislative salaries recommended by the Public Officials Compensation Commission, effectively freezing the salaries of lawmakers and other elected state officials.

“Just like families across Oregon, the Legislative Assembly is tightening its belt. We will be reducing our budget and finding more efficient ways to continue providing the representation and responsiveness Oregonians have come to expect from their elected leaders,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn).

Oregon Legislators, who are not in leadership offices, currently make $21,592 annually. The POCC recommended in November 2008 increasing that salary to $25,200. The presiding officers of the House and Senate receive additional salary under current statutes and the POCC recommended additional pay increases for caucus leaders.

Under the POCC recommendation, the budget for legislative salaries would increase by more than $1 million in the next biennium. The POCC also recommended raises for statewide elected officials and members of the judiciary. All total, the commission’s recommendations for the legislative, executive and judicial branches would increase costs $9.8 million.

“While we appreciate the consideration that went into the recommendations of the Commission, now is now the time to take up the issue of legislative pay,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin). “As we cut budgets and prioritize our spending for the next biennium, our focus is on maintaining crucial services for Oregon’s most vulnerable and those struggling to stay afloat.”

Senate Bill 778 rejects the increases and authorizes legislative salaries and those of statewide elected officials and judges at their current levels. The measure passed the Senate 30-0 and now heads to the House of Representatives.

Source: Oregon Legislature