Panel: Hike pay of state elected officials — minus lawmakers
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A state panel recommended salary hikes Friday for Michigan’s governor and other statewide officials, urging legislators to restore the pay and expense allowances they sliced by 10 percent seven years ago.
The six-member State Officers Compensation Commission voted unanimously to recommend the compensation increases, which would become effective in 2019 if the Republican-led Legislature affirmatively acts — an unlikely move. It is the first time the panel, which meets every other year, has urged pay hikes for the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state since it recommended the 10 percent reduction in 2009 during the height of the economic downturn.
The recommendation Friday excludes legislators, who would have been highly unlikely to OK their own raise regardless. They have rejected the commission’s suggested modest 3 percent pay raises for Supreme Court justices in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
This year, the panel is recommending a 10 percent boost for justices, which would be their first increase since 2002. They make $164,610 annually. The governor’s salary is $159,300, the lieutenant governor’s is $111,510, and the attorney general and secretary of state earn $112,410.
Commission member James Hallan, president and CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association, said compensation should be boosted to attract qualified candidates but acknowledged the “political reality” of lawmakers not wanting to vote on pay hikes.
“Legislative inaction ... has created a significant benchmark variance especially for those that hold statewide office,” he said. “We’ve created a logjam that needs to be broken.”
The commission chairman, Joseph Stalley, the president of an investment firm, said the economy has improved significantly since the 10 percent cut. Personal income is up 25 percent, and wages for state workers have risen by a third over 15 years.
The only person to testify at the meeting was Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen Markman, who said a 17-year pay freeze on justices’ salaries will be the longest in the country. It “has had adverse consequences for the stability of the court and for the attractiveness of service on the court,” he said.
Rank-and-file legislators make $71,685 a year and receive another $10,800 in expense allowances. Those in leadership positions make more.
OCBA to hold Annual Meeting June 1
Join OCBA members at their 83rd Annual Meeting as they swear in new president Gerald J. Gleeson II of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone and welcome newly elected board members. The meeting, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, will be held at the Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend Street in Birmingham. Cocktails and the awards ceremony start at 4:30 p.m., followed by a seated dinner and program at 6 p.m. The cost for OCBA members is $90; $75 for new lawyers, paralegals and students; and $110 for nonmembers (attendees not pre-registered will be charged an additional $50 at the door.) Register online at www.ocba.org.
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