Wed. Nov 6th, 2024

Oregon Legislature Capitol building under construction

Measure 116 would create an independent commission to state the salaries of many elected officials. (Amanda Loman/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Early election results show voters opposing Measure 116, which would create a commission to set any salaries for state officials.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, 53% of voters are against Measure 116 compared with nearly 46% against.

Measure 116 would create an independent commission with the power to set salaries for the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, labor bureau commissioner as well as district attorneys, state senators and state representatives. Many have some of the lowest salaries among their peers nationwide. Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum earns less than any other attorney general; Gov. Tina Kotek only earns more than the governors of Maine, Colorado and Arizona; and Treasurer Tobias Read and Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade each make less than their counterparts everywhere but Wisconsin and Arizona. 

Two years ago, three Democratic female legislators — then-Reps. Karin Power, Rachel Prusak and Anna Williams — announced they would not seek subsequent terms because the pay, then about $33,000 a year, was too low. 

In theory, being an Oregon state legislator is a part-time job, with lawmakers meeting for 35 days in even years and up to 160 days in odd years. But the job entails many hours otherwise, with lawmakers sitting on task forces, meeting with constituents and crafting legislation when Legislature is not in session.

Legislator pay has edged up in recent years, and starting in January, will be $43,434 annually. Lawmakers also earn a daily allowance, or per diem, of about $178 to cover food and lodging on days the Legislature is in session.

Supporters, including former Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, a Beaverton Democrat, said that creating a commission would professionalize the process, while former Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, a Bend Republican, said it should be up to Oregonians to set elected officials’ pay.

Only one person filed a statement opposing Measure 116 in the Voters’ Pamphlet. Noah Robinson, the Republican nominee for the 2nd Senate district in southern Oregon and son of retiring Sen. Art Robinson, said in creating a commission, legislators and the governor would get more pay but not take responsibility for it.

If it passes, the commission would be able to set salaries and automatically appropriate the money needed to pay those wages from the state general fund without legislative approval. If it fails, the Legislature would continue to set salaries.

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

By