Other Newspapers'Opinions: Public officials deserve fair pay
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:12 AM PDT
Oregonians want the best people making our laws, writing state budgets and weighing legal decisions that could stand for generations. To attract such people, the state must pay them fairly.
The 11-member Public Officials Compensation Commission has come up with a list of raises that appears reasonable. It covers salaries for legislators, judges and six top state officials. The public can weigh in at a hearing Sept. 18; the final decision lies with the Legislature during the 2009-11 budget process.
Raises would be politically touchy. But given their responsibilities, most people at these levels of state government are underpaid. They deserve a raise.
State legislators, for example, earn $20,592 for a job that requires them to put their regular jobs on hold for months at a time.
Even when the Legislature is not in session, good legislators spend considerable time on committee work and constituent service time that eats into their regular employment.
If legislators’ salaries are left as is, Oregonians run the risk that few but retirees, the rich and the desperate will run for legislative openings. That won’t encourage the mix of talents and personalities that Oregon needs for a successful Legislature.
When comparing state officials’ earnings to those of their peers elsewhere, the Legislature should look at total compensation salary and benefits.
In legislators’ case, there also is a per diem payment while on legislative business.
Oregon officials appear to be underpaid and deserving of raises. But all facts must be considered in making that determination.
— The (Salem) Statesman Journal
