The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill that would raise the annual salary for state lawmakers from 16,800 to about $40,000. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says many legislators are leaving because the time commitment does not match the pay.
“So we have this attrition rate that’s going on and nobody is leaving the Legislature for a lower paying job than this,” said Marino.
The bill passed on an eight to four vote and it needs review from House Appropriations since it’s an added cost for the state.
Lawmakers have not received a boost in annual pay since 1980. In 2008, then-Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed a legislative pay raise bill because of public pressure. Marrero Representative Rodney Lyons says he surveyed his constituents and they support a higher salary for legislators.
“Because those who are reasonable realize that we give up a lot of our time to attend to their needs, which are vast and vary,” said Lyons.
Pineville Representative Mike Johnson voted against the legislation as he says service is about sacrifice.
“Sacrifice of time with family, the sacrifice of time with friends, the sacrifice of living somewhere other than in your home, and unfortunately it’s a sacrifice on the cost to each one of us, we know that when we run,” said Johnson.
Johnson also says that based on the state ranking near the bottom in many categories, you can make the argument that state lawmakers do not deserve an increase in pay.
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