Senator urges commission to study stipends, legislative pay and influence
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Summary
Senator John Keenan told the Joint Committee on Public Service that Senate Bill 2100 would create a commission to examine additional regular compensation and annual expenses for members of the General Court, citing intern research and concerns about leadership stipends affecting legislative independence.
Senate Bill 2100, filed to create a special commission on additional compensation and annual expenses for members of the General Court, drew testimony from Senator John Keenan to the Joint Committee on Public Service.
Keenan said the bill would establish a nine‑member commission with a majority appointed from outside the legislature to examine how stipends and other compensation influence behavior and public confidence in legislative independence.
Keenan described research conducted by five interns in his office comparing compensation in nine other states with full‑time legislatures. He said Massachusetts ranks seventh among a group of 10 states for base pay but provides the largest stipends for leadership positions, with stipends cited that range from about $69,000 for some positions to more than $129,000 for the Senate president or Speaker. Keenan noted the public attention that salary increases can draw and argued the commission would be a way to address the structure of stipends that he said can shape members’ incentives.
Keenan cited academic literature the interns reviewed suggesting that when leaders can award positions and stipends, rank‑and‑file legislators may act in anticipation of leaders’ preferences. He referenced a Boston Globe quotation describing how expanded numbers of paid leadership roles reduced the practice of leaders individually calling members to seek votes.
The senator described the bill as bipartisan and said the commission would be an opportunity to improve good government and public confidence. No committee vote or formal amendment was recorded during the hearing.
