JACKSON – It is always easy to beat up on legislators – especially when they consider bills to give themselves pay raises.
There is a bill alive in the state House that would do just that – give the 174 members of the Mississippi Legislature a pay raise. Like stated earlier, it is easy to beat up on legislators , and no doubt, they often do things that warrant the beating they receive.
But members of the Mississippi Legislature have not had a pay raise since the 1990s during the administration of Kirk Fordice. The bill being considered would raise their base pay from $10,000 annually to $15,000 and their so-called out-of-session pay from $1,500 to $2,500 per month.
Of course, legislators also receive per diem when they are in session and limited per diem out of session for about two trips per month to Jackson.
When people complain about legislators making $50,000 or more, they are including the per diem in the total pay package. The per diem is based on the federal rate and is currently $109 per day.
But, remember, it does take money to live in Jackson during the session – for room and board and other expenses.
So do legislators deserve a pay raise?
Perhaps, but it is difficult to have to vote yourself a pay raise. From a political standpoint, it can be real difficult.
One thing legislators could do is enact a pay raise that would not start until the next term in 2012.
But many legislators believe if they are going to take the tough political vote of enacting a pay raise, they want it this term so they can benefit from it. They reason they could pass a pay raise that begins in 2012, still be hammered for it, lose their re-election effort and never take advantage of the extra money.
No doubt, the issue of considering a pay raise will be one of the most difficult legislators face.
Read Bobby Harrison’s coverage of the Capitol each day in the Daily Journal newspaper.
