Should Louisiana lawmakers get a raise? Here's what they've earned since 1980
A Louisiana lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to more than triple state legislators' pay to $60,000, which would be their first raise in more than 40 years.
Joe Marino, an Independent from Gretna, said the current salary of $16,800 for representatives and senators prevents many qualified candidates from seeking what is technically considered a part-time job in the Louisiana Legislature.
"How can we attract the best and brightest people for $16,800 a year with no retirement?" said Marino, whose measure is House Bill 149. "It's almost like we're putting this job out to the lowest bidders. Is that what we want when make critical policy decisions that impact everyone in the state?
"If it's cost prohibitive to serve we're going to limit the pool to the wealthy or retired or someone who has their own business or practice that they're willing to sacrifice. I'm an attorney, and I've lost money for all seven years that I've served."
Marino said he came up with the $60,000 amount by computing what $16,800, the salary set in 1980, would be in today's dollars (which is actually $64,000). Current lawmakers also receive expenses and per diems in addition to their salaries. "It's not really a raise; it's a cost of living adjustment," Marino said of his bill.
If the bill passes, the raises wouldn't take effect until next year after a new Legislature is seated. Marino isn't seeking reelection so he wouldn't benefit from the increase.
"This isn't about me or for me," he said. "It's about the future and increasing the talent pool seeking to serve."
Other legislators agree the current compensation is a barrier for many people to serve, especially women, and scoff at the idea that the job is part time.
Only 28 of the Louisiana Legislature's 144 seats are held by women, the 45th lowest percentage in the United States, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.
"This isn't a part-time job; it's just part-time pay," said Democratic New Orleans Rep. Candace Newell.
"Most women either have to be retired or wealthy to serve, especially women with children," said Democratic New Orleans Rep. Mandie Landry, an attorney who's schedule is flexible. "It's very difficult for them to justify spending so much time working and away and not getting paid."
Though there's general agreement among lawmakers that they're underpaid, many will be reluctant to vote for a pay raise in an election year.
More:In Louisiana, women represent less than 20 percent of seats in Legislature
The last time lawmakers voted to grant themselves a pay hike was 2008, but then Gov. Bobby Jindal vetoed it under pressure after he initially said he would support the raise.
"The reason we haven't done it is because I think there's an urban myth that if they vote for a pay increase they won't be reelected," Marino said. "I don't believe that's true. Name one of elective office in Louisiana or any other job for that matter where the salary has remained unchanged for more than 40 years."
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Should Louisiana lawmakers get first raise since 1980, triple salaries?
