ARGUMENTS "FOR" PROPOSITION 300

Please support Proposition 300, which is the official and unanimous recommendation of the 2008 Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers (the "Commission").

The five-member, bi-partisan Commission is appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the Arizona Chief Justice. Commission members are private citizens and receive no compensation for service. The Commission is authorized by the Arizona Constitution and is statutorily charged with recommending pay levels "appropriate to the duties and responsibilities of the respective offices and positions subject to such review."

Proposition 300 recommends an annual legislative salary increase from $24,000 to $30,000. This recommendation is based on the Commission's comprehensive assessment of available data, including analysis of compensation paid to legislators in other states. If approved, this would be the first salary increase in ten years for Arizona's legislators. As fellow Arizonans, we urge your support for this important Proposition.

Increasing legislative salaries to a level that is commensurate with the time and responsibility associated with the position, is important for Arizona so that we can eventually achieve a true Citizen Legislature. Among other things, a legislative salary increase makes running for office more viable for more of our fellow Arizonans. At the current salary, the pool of citizens able to serve in the Legislature is limited.

A true Citizen Legislature should be a priority for all of us. Additional competition for legislative seats only enhances the quality of the Legislature, and ultimately improves the operation of our State. Please vote YES on Proposition 300.

Sal Rivera, Chairman, Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers, Phoenix	Betsy Bolding, Member, Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers, Tucson
C. Webb Crockett, Member, Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers, Phoenix	Randie Stein, Member, Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers, Phoenix
Lonnie J. Williams, Jr., Member, Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers, Phoenix
Paid for by "Sal Rivera"

 

The Arizona Advocacy Network urges passage of this modest pay raise for Arizona's legislators. Even if you have issues with how legislators have done their jobs, they are seriously underpaid and deserve a raise. Their compensation of only $24,000 per year has not been raised for many years and must be improved to attract the best and brightest to legislative service, especially people who may not work for a large business or utility that can afford to subsidize their incomes. We need citizen legislators who can be paid enough in salary so they don't depend on special interests to supplement their incomes.

These days a legislator has a full time job the first half of the year while the legislature is in session, plus additional time must be spent on constituent service, special legislative committees which meet between sessions, and other boards and advisory groups.

Please don't let any concerns you may have about the quality of legislators' work cloud the reality that we deserve legislators who are adequately compensated. It is question of justice and fairness toward them, and it is in our own interest as citizens and voters to have qualified people serving in public office and limiting the power and influence of special interests.

The Arizona Advocacy Network works directly to promote social, economic, racial and environmental justice by leading efforts for electoral justice and increased civic participation in government.

Michael J. Valder, President, Arizona Advocacy Network, Phoenix	Eric Ehst, Treasurer, Arizona Advocacy Network, Phoenix
Paid for by "Arizona Advocacy Network"

Arguments "AGAINST" Proposition 300

ARGUMENT "AGAINST" PROPOSITION ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS AS TO LEGISLATIVE SALARIES

I believe it is unconscionable to initiate force or fraud on anyone.

I respect, and will not trespass upon or steal anyone's private property.

I believe in keeping my word and honoring my contracts.

I believe all interactions between myself and anyone else must be mutually agreed upon interactions.

I believe you should keep 100% of everything you earn, produce and acquire.

I believe you should be free to do whatever pleases you so long as it does not trespass on another person.

I believe everyone should mind their own business.

I expect others to abide by this code. More can be found out at http://GammillForCongress.com.

Freedom's the Answer. What's the Question?

The role of the legislature is quite simple: Pass an annual budget and GO HOME. It is a part time legislature that is supposed to meet less than 100 days a year. Being elected is a civic minded contribution, not a career. Being a legislator is not a title of nobility bestowed upon those whom get elected.

The one thing legislators cannot seem to do in a timely manner is pass a budget.

I certainly would not pay legislators more for a job they currently cannot seem to do as more of your tax money would simply encourage prolonging the budget process further. Vote "NO" on raising legislator's salaries.

Powell Gammill, Candidate, U.S. Representative, District 2, Phoenix