The Arkansas Supreme Court news release on workload shifts reminded me of the ongoing issue of pay raises for elected state officials.

The citizens commission that fixes state official pay has begun meetings this year. So far, it has heard the Supreme Court ask for an 11 percent pay raise and heard other judges, from Court of Appeals down to district court, ask for a 2 percent pay raise. The cost-of-living pay increase for state employees next year is going to be 1 percent for those not covered in a restructuring of some, mostly lower, pay grades.

Advertisement

No other public officials have made a request yet.

I wondered about the legislature. It brokered a huge pay raise in the first year of the independent commission’s authority in 2015. Pay went from $15,869 to $39,400, but legislators agreed to give up a home office expense account that was, for many legislators, a simple pay supplement. They kept the per diem payments that amount to tax-free pay supplements, along with some other expense allowances.

The independent commission gave no raises in 2016.

This year, I wondered, what does the legislature have in mind, if anything?

Said Senate President Pro Tem Jonathan Dismang:

Advertisement

The Senate will provide information or answer questions, but we will not be making a proposal.

No response yet from House Speaker Jeremy Gillam.

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article Supreme Court cites ‘factual errors’ in Court of Appeals complaint Next article Freeway wreckage, dramatically illustrated