Arizona House Appropriations Committee quashed proposal that would have moved legislative pay next year from $24,000 to $57,000.
PHOENIX — State lawmakers will still have to depend on voters' good will, or lack thereof, to get more pay.
Gowan said it's frustrating that the last time voters approved a raise was in 1998. Since then, voters have rejected a series of proposals to take legislative pay to $30,000, $35,000 or $36,000. Gowan said his measure would not have taken the public out of the picture entirely. The salary-setting formula would still have to be approved by voters in November.For voters to approve the change in salaries, they also would have to approve allowing lawmakers to serve for 12 consecutive years in either the House or Senate. Now, legislators are"termed out'' after eight years, though they are allowed to then run for the other chamber — and even back again, with no limits.
"And I see that members are laughing at that,'' Butler said."So, that's either absurd or on the mark.''