BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – – State lawmakers made a restored effort to raise the spend for those elected in the next term but the optics of the move produced a significant obstacle.
Legislators have not seen a pay raise since the '80s. They have been making $16,800 a year plus funds for per diem expenses for over 40 years. The last effort remained in 2008, which was vetoed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. State Rep. Joe Marino, I-Gretna, wished to bring the costs to make the wage one that would permit more individuals of diverse backgrounds to run for workplace.
" Who can pay for to do this job for $16,800? It's a very small group of individuals. In federal government it is not representative when just a little group can do it," Marino said.
The proposition was for 75% of the state's typical income, coming out to about $40,000 a year. Lawmakers in favor stated they understood they would be taking a monetary hit running for workplace, however not everybody has the ability to do so. Those who live far from the capital region likewise have to consider real estate alternatives in the area during the legislative session
The House just recently got rid of instructor pay raises from the budget plan in favor of paying for teacher retirement debt. Some legislators who support that strategy have born in mind the looming fiscal cliff of about $800 million. With all that in mind, there was a great deal of discussion about if it was the right time to pass the bill.
Guv talks budget plan changes, social problems controling legislative session.
" What I don't agree with is the present system that we are in control of granting ourselves a pay raise when instructors should have a pay raise," stated State Rep. Jason Hughes, D-
New Orleans, "Hard-working ladies and guys in law enforcement definitely are worthy of a pay raise. State employees and the list goes on."
The raises would not have actually gone into impact till 2024 under a new administration. Numerous House and Senate seats are up for re-election this fall. Marino, who brought the costs, is not seeking re-election.
"We're setting an example. We can't offer ourselves a raise when we can't do whatever else that everybody else desires," State Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, stated.
The bill was overruled with a 16-5 vote in your home Appropriations Committee. Some members stated they hope the discussion will continue into future years and supported the concept of putting lawmaker pay raises under the duty of another entity instead of be voted on by the lawmakers themselves.
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