Idaho Citizens' Committee Approves Legislative Salary Increases • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho lawmakers will see their wages increase from $19,913 to $25,000 per year for the next two years.

The Citizens’ Committee on Legislative Compensation unanimously approved the increase Wednesday morning at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.

The Idaho Senate President and Speaker of the Idaho House will also receive a $5,000 increase per year to $5,500 per year, and minority leaders will receive an additional $2,000 to $2,500 increase.

The new salary structure will take effect on December 1 for the next two years unless the Senate and House of Representatives reject or reduce the new rates by concurrent resolution within 25 days of the legislative session, which begins on January 6. new rates are rejected, the previous lower rates remain in force.

The cost of daily meals and travel expenses during the annual term of office will continue to be covered under the new structure.

According to the Idaho Constitutionthe Legislature “shall have no power to fix by law the rate of his compensation and costs.” Instead, a citizens’ commission should set the salaries of Idaho lawmakers. The committee consists of six members who are not government officials – three appointed by the governor and three by Idaho Supreme Court.

The committee rejects the original proposal for a 43% increase

The original request Idaho Senate and House of Representatives leaders and minority leaders demanded a 43% pay increase for state lawmakers. This proposed pay rate would have increased salaries to $37,801 in the coming year, while eliminating some expense reimbursements. Idaho Statesman reported.

On Wednesday, the committee rejected that proposal.

“I think the leadership has done a great job, but I just don’t think they deserve that much more compensation,” said committee member Mary Hasenoehrl.

During Wednesday’s hearing, three people voiced their opposition to the original proposal, starting with Sulamita Rotante, field manager for the American Action Fund Idaho.

“A 43% pay increase for lawmakers at a time of historic inflation is disconnected from what the people of Idaho want and the conservative values we hold. This should be a no-brainer for our elected officials,” she said. “… Lawmakers should focus on cutting government spending and taxes, or cutting government spending and taxes.”

Rotante also said it was “concerning” that the committee chose to meet at 8 a.m. the day after the presidential election. Commission Chairman Dennis Johnson said he is aware of the inconvenience of the meeting’s timing. However, it was not an attempt to do this “in the dark of night,” he said, but rather it met the schedules of those who serve on this committee.

Others who spoke out against the proposed wage increases included Niklas Kleinworth, policy director for the Idaho Freedom Foundation, and District 25 Idaho House Representative-elect David Leavitt.

“I believe it sends the wrong message to our taxpayers to fund lawmakers’ raises,” Leavitt said. “We need to focus on saving taxpayers money.”

Idaho Senate President Chuck Winder, R-Boise, attended the hearing virtually via Zoom. Winder, who was defeated in his May primary and will not return to parliament in January, defended the proposed increases, highlighting the need to attract younger candidates and the high cost of housing in Boise.

“In Boise it is very difficult to get housing, and people even live in hotels,” Winder said. “I remember 10 years ago when a $100 room was a bit on the high side. Now to get a room downtown or close to the capital, you’ll pay $200 to $300 per night.