A bill that would increase the pay of the governor and other statewide elected officials barely gets enough votes to pass the Louisiana House. Harahan Representative John Illg’s legislation would increase the governor’s salary in 2028 from $130,000 to $174,000, the same amount a U.S. House Representative receives.
“We all recognize that we have multiple congressmen, and only one governor. When you consider our governor’s wide-reaching responsibilities, it seems like the appropriate measure,” Illg said.
The bill passed on a 54-35 vote. 53 “Yes” votes are needed for a bill to pass the 105-member House and there were several state representatives who tried to change their vote afterwards, but it was too late.
Illg’s legislation also increases the salary of the state’s other six statewide elected officials from $115,000 to $154,000.
He says the measure does not raise the pay for state lawmakers, which would stay at $16,800. But the measure would provide legislators with additional opportunities to receive per diem.
“It allows you to be reimbursed for per diem; between sessions, for traveling to meetings and conducting legislative business between sessions. It’s limited to 10 days a month. Other states, like Mississippi, already do this,” Illg explained.
Illg says it’s been decades since the state addressed the pay of elected officials.
“It’s been over 20 years since this legislature has dealt with paying our statewide officials. It’s been over 46 years since the legislature last addressed their own,” Illg noted.
The measure heads to the Senate and it’s unknown what kind of support the bill will receive.
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