Bill would increase state lawmaker salaries by $7,900

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kernell, would bump the salaries from the current $16,500 to $24,600. It’s an amount based on state employees’ raises since 1988, when lawmakers’ pay increased from $11,000 to $16,500.

“This is a very serious threat to our democracy,” Kernell said. “We are losing the ability for citizens to afford to participate in the Legislature.”

The Memphis Democrat, who doesn’t have another job, says his secretary and staff all make more money than he does. He also said he sleeps on the couch in his Nashville office every Wednesday night to avoid the cost of a hotel room.

Kernell and other supporters say the low pay favors incumbents because nobody else can afford to run for office.

“If we are not careful, the Legislature will be open only to those who are retired or independently wealthy. I don’t think that is good from a policy standpoint,” said Sen. David Fowler, R-Signal Mountain.

“But we also need to make sure what we are paid does not become so lucrative that some people will want to make this a career rather than make it truly public service.”

The bill is set for consideration this week in the House State Government Subcommittee.

Tennessee lawmakers, in addition to their salaries, also receive $525 a month for home office expenses, along with $129 a day when they’re in Nashville and 32 cents a mile for travel expenses.

Legislators and their families also are eligible for the state employees’ health insurance plan, and at age 55 or older, can retire and receive $70 a month for every year they served in the General Assembly.

That means someone like Kernell would receive $2,100 a month for his 30 years as a state representative.

But not all lawmakers think pay raises are a good idea — especially with elections looming in November.

“They’d beat us over the head with it,” said Sen. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville. “I can see the ads now: ‘The General Assembly gave itself a 70 percent pay raise. Did you get a 70 percent pay raise?'”

Rep. Beth Harwell agreed, saying more money for legislators wouldn’t be popular with the public.

“The Legislature is viewed as a part-time position, and we want to keep it that way,” said Harwell, R-Nashville. “If we start paying people full time, it loses its part-time impact. Besides, we are in tough financial times, so this is probably not a good time to look at anyone receiving a pay raise.”

Fowler believes a citizens panel should be created by the General Assembly to evaluate the demands made on legislators and determine the merits of a pay raise.

“I just wish people were more aware of how time-consuming this is. It’s getting to the point where you can’t hold another job,” Fowler said. “I’m not complaining. I knew what the salary was when I ran for the job.

“But for the future good of this state we ought to consider whether we can attract high-quality people because of the financial demands it places on us.”

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On the Net:

Tennessee General Assembly, www.legislature.state.tn.us