2004 Ballot Propositions
RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS AS TO LEGISLATIVE SALARIES HAS BEEN CERTIFIED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND IS HEREBY SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR REJECTION.
"SHALL THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE SALARIES BE ACCEPTED?" YES NO
RECOMMENDATIONS, IF APPROVED BY THE ELECTORS, SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITHOUT ANY OTHER AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION.
CURRENT SALARY.......................................... $24,000
PROPOSED SALARY........................................ $36,000
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce urges a "yes" vote on Proposition 300 to increase state legislators' annual salary to $36,000 from the current $24,000.
Arizona's 30 state senators and 60 state representatives are often subjected to cynical cheap shots from critics and seldom get the credit they deserve for doing a difficult and often-times thankless job. Annually, our lawmakers must decide how to spend over $7 billion dollars on crucial state programs like education, health care, public safety and environmental protection to name a few. They are charged with providing for an effective education system that prepares our children to succeed in a very competitive global economy. They are called upon to be good stewards of state lands and assets for the benefit of all Arizonans. They also are given the enormous power to tax.
Since we give these 90 men and women so much responsibility and authority, we must do everything we can to attract the best and brightest to legislative service.
Though the Arizona Legislature meets in regular session for only five or six months each year, our lawmakers serve their districts in the off-session period by providing important constituent services and through special legislative committee hearings. Moreover, they are often called into special sessions by the Governor. The demands on their time make it difficult to accurately describe the job of legislator as anything but full-time.
The Arizona Chamber agrees with the Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers that our hard-working lawmakers deserve higher compensation for all the time and effort they contribute to their constituents and the State of Arizona. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce urges voters to vote "yes" on Proposition 300.
When the $24,000 pay was set for legislators, the job required only 100 days of work during session. Most legislators had additional incomes and jobs. Because of special sessions, overruns of regular sessions and the many boards and interim committees, the job of legislator has become a full time, year round job. By granting this pay raise Arizona will be broadening the range of people that will be able to run for legislative positions. The issues and responsibilities that legislators face are very complex and require long hours of research, dedication, and a great deal of knowledge and skill. Please vote to give our state legislators a pay raise.
The Arizona Farm Bureau opposes proposition 300: Despite many arguments of legitimacy that can be advanced to support a salary increase, the Arizona Farm Bureau has difficulty supporting a salary increase of 50% ($24,000 to $36,000 for legislators). It is simply too much to expect voters to support such a large one-time increase. With due respect, the Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers should re-consider with more real world thoughtfulness.
| Kevin Rogers, President, Arizona Farm Bureau Federation, Mesa Jim Klinker, Chief Administrative Officer, Arizona Farm Bureau Federation, Higley Paid for by "Arizona Farm Bureau Federation" |
This is a part-time Legislature. They already meet for darned near two-thirds of a year now! And they still cannot manage to pass a complete budget -- which is their most legitimate function. Instead they spend an inordinate amount of time introducing well over two thousand bills annually, which have to be printed up at great cost, and referred to committees, etc. Don't you think we have enough laws? See the www.GammillForCongress.com web site for more details.
Whenever we give them more salary we get less productivity. Are you really going to give these guys raises for their poor job performance? Let the philanthropists run for office. The idea that these guys get in there and figure they own their seats is disgusting. They wanted the part-time job knowing what it pays, and they got it. How long they stay in session, or in office, is literally up to them. No raises until they start earning it!
Pass a budget, first thing, before anything else. Then you can pass any other legislation. Or here is a novel idea: adjourn. Until then, no more raises.
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Powell Gammill, www.GammillForCongress.com , Libertarian Candidate for U.S. Representative, District 2 (AZ), Phoenix |
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A "yes" vote shall have the effect of raising State Legislators' salaries to $36,000 per year. |
YES |
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A "no" vote shall have the effect of keeping State Legislators' salaries at $24,000 per year. |
NO |
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JANICE K.
BREWER
Arizona Secretary of State
© September 2004