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| Decatur, Ala. | Sunday, May 19, 2013 |
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10/28/12
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1222 views
Editorial ENDORSEMENT
Vote 'yes' on Amendment 8
We recommend a "yes" vote on Amendment 8, which will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Proposed Amendment 8 changes the compensation of state legislators. It would undo a 2007 vote, by what was then a Democrat-controlled Legislature, that increased legislator salaries from $30,000 to $49,000, with annual cost-of-living increases. Currently, legislators make about $52,000 a year.
Under Amendment 8, legislators would receive a salary equal to the state's median household wage, which was $42,081 in 2011.
In 2010, the GOP campaigned on repealing the pay increase. While a purist view of their promise would suggest legislative pay should drop back to $30,000, we believe they were wise to tie salaries to the median household wage. Setting compensation too low limits the candidates who can run for office. It also penalizes some of the hardest-working legislators who put in full-time hours on the part-time job.
A "yes" vote should end political shenanigans on this always controversial issue, while providing public servants with a fair wage.
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I understand that there are expenses associated with serving in the State Legislature that deserve compensation. I also believe they should be compensated for their time. But, as a full time state employee who regularly puts in uncompensated overtime, I find it offensive that they receive cost of living increases. Raises and cost of living increases are things state employees have not seen in years! $42k a year is more than I make working full time for the state. My part time job pays even less!
Let us not ignore that free, open-ended expense account that a yes vote will also be permanently approving.
YES - Amendment 8 - Legislatures Provide that the compensation paid to legislators can not be increased during term of office.
Repeals last years pay raise. This proposed amendment would make legislative pay relative to Alabama's annual median household income. Supports the idea of a modest decent salary to support a Citizen Legislator. Vote Yes. http://ccofal.org