Legislation to increase the annual salary of members of the Louisiana Legislature is being heard in the House Governmental Affairs committee today.
Lawmakers have not received a raise since 1980. In an interview on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster”, Gretna Representative Joe Marino – the bill’s author – says Governor Edwards is mostly on board.
“He has indicated to me very directly he would be willing to sign a pay increase but at a lower number than what my bill calls for.”
Marino says the governor believes the annual legislative pay should be raised to $50,000.
The bill would increase the salary from $16,800 to $60,000.
The proposed law would also increase the annual salary for the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives from $32,000 to $114,000. The Independent lawmaker says the biggest hurdle will be faced in the lower chamber.
“We have a strong amount of support in the Senate. The question is going to be whether or not we have enough support in the House.”
Marino says the pay is too low for as much time as it takes to do an effective job.
“You have to be able to commit three months minimum a year to be away from your job, away from your family, and be really immersed in the session.”
If the bill is approved, it will go into effect next year.
