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Senate debates a proposed pay increase for legislators, resists delayed‑effect amendment
Summary
Senators debated raising daily legislative pay from $65 to $100 and related expense proposals; an amendment delaying raises until post‑election failed and the measure advanced to third reading with significant floor argument about optics and fiscal priorities.
Senator Black proposed raising legislative daily pay to $100 (from $65) and defended the increase as aligning pay with compensation commissions and making service accessible to a greater range of citizens. The measure generated extensive floor debate.
Senator Hill presented an amendment to delay the salary increase until after the 1992 elections for members to demonstrate voters' consent; that amendment failed on a roll call (9 ayes, 19 nays, 1 absent). Several senators, including Senator Stone, opposed the increase on fiscal and principle grounds, arguing service should be voluntary and raising pay during tight budget conditions was unseemly. Senator Shepherd and others said low pay excluded capable but less affluent candidates and supported the raise to broaden representation.
Senator Black supplied comparative pay schedules and editorial endorsements to support his proposal and warned that hiding compensation in expense allowances would draw greater criticism. The Senate placed the bill on the third‑reading calendar (17 ayes, 10 nays); the transcript records multiple personal‑privilege recognitions and public statements around the item.
Next steps: the bill proceeds to third reading, where senators indicated they would weigh public reaction and fiscal context before a final vote.
