There has been an extraordinary amount of publicity concerning the legislative pay raise recently approved by the House of Representatives on Friday, June 13, 2008. I want to take this opportunity to present the facts about the pay raise so you can make a decision based on the facts and not on the sensationalism caused by the media.

            First of all, legislative pay was set at the annual sum of $16,800 in 1980.  Because 28 years have passed since the last pay raise, the increase appears to be unreasonable until you examine the facts.  At the beginning of 2008, the salary of a legislator remained at $16,800 plus $500 per month in unvouchered expenses (an increase of 82% from 1980 due to the unvouchered expenses).   Correspondingly, the 1980 salary of the Governor was $52,000, and the 1980 average salary for teachers was $13,770.  Fast forward to 2008, and the salary of the Governor is $130,000, an increase of 248%; the average salary of a teacher is $47,770, an increase of 340%.  The House-passed version of the Legislative pay raise is for an annual salary of $37,500 representing an increase of 223% compared to the 248% increase for the Governor and the 340% increase for teachers over the same period of time.   I have attached a chart for your convenience showing various salaries and percentages of increases over the last 28 years.    

The obvious reason that legislative pay was not addressed in past years no doubt had much to do with the political debate that has engulfed this attempt, despite several recommendations by impartial review panels, not comprised of legislators, that have recommended compensation increases for state legislators.  The Compensation Review Commission in 2003 recommended a legislative salary of $41,500.  (It should also be noted, since 1995 and in conjunction with term limits, election to the Legislature no longer enables legislators to enter the state retirement system.)   It is not popular to raise one's own pay, and under our state constitution, the legislature is delegated that authority for all public officials.  During my first term in the legislature, there was a movement to raise legislators' pay which I did not support, and the matter never came to a vote.  This time I supported and voted for the pay raise because I realized that it is necessary to attract and keep good, qualified people in the legislature.  At the current salary, considering the time involved, few people can forego their jobs or businesses to serve.  Many members of the legislature have to move to Baton Rouge during sessions.  This means they are here for extended periods of time and incur considerable living expenses for lodging and meals.  The current per diem of $143 during the sessions barely covers their expenses, much less compensates them for the time away from their full-time jobs or businesses. 

            Many people argue that this job is part time and we knew what the job paid when we ran.  But the problem with that argument is that under our state constitution, we are only supposed to be in session for 85 days in even-numbered years and 60 days in odd-numbered years.  However, since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, that has certainly not been the case.  For example, this year alone, we have been in session for nearly six months.  The extended amount of time that legislators have to spend in session, as well as the time spent handling constituents' issues makes the job more than a part-time job.  

            Legislators are often requested to meet with groups when not in session and attend many functions in their districts, as well as making themselves accessible to their constituents.  Furthermore, in order to secure funding for vital road and infrastructure projects, effective legislators attend a dizzying array of planning meetings with state agency representatives, planners, and policy makers year-round.  Though such meetings are not required, the most effective legislators are those who take a yearly proactive approach—essentially, daily lobbying on behalf of their constituents.  These demands on a legislator's time take them away from their businesses, jobs and families.  I have experienced this first hand and on a personal level.  Just two weeks ago, while I was in a legislative meeting, I received a text message from my wife that my son had hit his first high school home run for Dutchtown High School's summer league

            I also know of excellent legislators from other areas who have had to resign or decide not to seek re-election because service in the legislature was creating a serious financial impact on their families.  If you are self-employed, the time away from your business detracts from your earnings, and if you are employed by a business, your job may come into jeopardy since few businesses can do without an employee for such extended periods of time.

            In the legislative races last fall, 27 incumbents (19% of the Legislature) were re-elected without opposition, and 8 open seats (5% of the Legislature) only had one person qualify.  In other words, one quarter of the entire membership of the current Legislature arrived here for the 2008-2012 term without a single vote being cast for them at the ballot box.  I feel it is imperative that we have quality people run for the legislature, and the low pay that is currently in place is detrimental to attracting quality candidates.  Few people can afford to risk their businesses or jobs to serve in the legislature, and the only way we are going to attract quality people is to raise the pay.  The legislature is just like any other business—if it is going to attract quality people, we are going to have to pay more.  Otherwise, the only people who will be able to serve will be the independently wealthy or retired individuals.  The legislature will no longer be a cross section of society representing all Louisiana citizens. 

            I am aware that there are many who do not agree with the vote, but I am totally convinced that voting for the pay increase was the right decision.  Hopefully, the increased compensation will encourage more people to run for office and we will not have as many uncontested elections, thereby giving voters more choices at the polls..

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Eddie J. Lambert

 

 

Historical Pay for Elected Officials & Teachers
Elected Official	1980 Pay	Today's Pay	% Increase
Governor	$52,400	$130,000	248%
Lt. Governor	$42,400	$115,000	271%
Statewide Elected Officials	$37,500	$115,000	306%
Supreme Court	$61,635	$136,967	222%
District Court Judges	$55,712	$124,085	222%
Teachers	$13,770	$47,770	340%
Legislators	$16,800	$16,800	0%