Election results in Oregon on Ballot Measure 116

The 2023 Oregon Legislature referred Ballot Measure 116 to voters to decide whether to create an independent commission to set the salaries of elected officials, legislators and district attorneys statewide.

The measure would… Independent Public Service Compensation Commissionwhich would set salaries for the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, Oregon Supreme Court justices, district attorneys and legislators.

Lobbyists, immediate family members of state officials and employees would be prohibited from serving on the commission.

Independent commissions provide input on salaries in 21 other states, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.

Lawmakers supporting the measure said the creation of the commission would be a step toward addressing pay changes instead of asking elected officials to set their salaries.

Oregon previously had a commission appointed by elected officials charged with making salary recommendations for elected officials. It recommended salary increases in 2008, but state lawmakers did not adopt them.

The committee was largely inactive and was eventually disbanded in 2017.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her out[email protected] or on Twitter @DianneLugo