Bunde Introduces Bill to Turn Down Salary Increases for Legislators, Top Administration Staff

JUNEAU – Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage, has introduced legislation (SB 106) to disapprove the recommendation of the Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission, which would increase the salaries of legislators and top state officials. If the recommendations are not disapproved through legislation and signed by the Governor by March 30, 2009, the raises will automatically take effect.

“I firmly reject the notion that higher legislative salaries will provide for more ethical and honest legislators,” Bunde said. “However, good arguments can be made for or against increasing legislative salaries. This bill is a vehicle that will allow those discussions to occur and the legislature the opportunity to vote on the recommendations.”

The compensation commission, created under HB 417 last year, released its findings and recommendations last fall. Under those recommendations, the Governor’s annual salary would remain at $125,000; the Lt. Governor’s salary would remain at $100,000; commissioners’ salaries would be set at $135,000; and legislators’ salaries would rise to a uniform $50,400, while long-term per diem for legislators would be stopped.

Bunde said the commission’s report is an “all-or-nothing” decision for the Legislature, but that the salaries should not take effect without a thorough public discussion, which his bill would facilitate when it is heard in committee.

SB 106 was referred to the Labor & Commerce, Judiciary, and Finance committees.

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