Proposed Pay Raises

From a memo to Democrat LAs & Staff; Democrat Representatives

The State Salary Commission today issued its recommendations at a meeting in Jeff City. The recommendations were made verbally - and not entirely clearly - so the details may be slightly different once they are drafted into a written report. But basically here's what they did:

For FY 2008 (July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008) Most judges plus statewide elected officials: Current salaries + $1,200 + 4 percent + whatever raise state employees get in FY 08. Associate circuit judges: salaries + $3,200 + 4 percent + whatever raise state employees get in FY 08.

For FY 2009 (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009) All judges, statewide officials and state legislators: Whatever raise state employees get in FY 09. Because of limiting language in Amendment 7, however, lawmakers won't get the raise until Jan. 1, 2009 - halfway through FY 09.

The $1,200 + 4 percent figures reflect raises state employees received
in the last six years, which is how long lawmakers, judges and statewide
elected officials have gone without pay hikes.

The ball is now in the legislature's court. The General Assembly has
until Feb. 1 for both chambers to reject the recommendations. If that
doesn't happen the recommendations automatically take effect. Under
Amendment 7, it takes two-thirds majorities in both chambers to reject
the recommendations. If they aren't rejected, funding is mandatory.