RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED STATE OFFICERS AS TO LEGISLATIVE SALARIES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND ARE HEREBY SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR REJECTION.

"SHALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED STATE OFFICERS CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE SALARIES BE ACCEPTED?" YES NO."

RECOMMENDATIONS, IF APPROVED, SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

CURRENT SALARY……………………..……………$15,000

PROPOSED SALARY:

"EACH STATE LEGISLATOR SHALL BE PAID $24,000 PER ANNUM, AND AS FURTHER COMPENSATION, PER DIEM REIMBURSEMENT COMMENSURATE WITH AND AS PROVIDED BY LAW FOR NON-ELECTIVE ARIZONA STATE EMPLOYEES."

The Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers unanimously voted to increase the annual compensation of state legistlators from $15,000 to $24,000. At present, Arizona ranks 25th among the states in compensating state legislators. If approved by the voters Arizona would rank 18th. Approval would be consistent with raises given most other elected officers since the voters last approved a legislative pay increase.

The Commission also unanimously recommended the voters approve the same per diem reimbursement for legislators as received by non elective Arizona state public employees.

Arriving at fair, reasonable and appropriate legislative compensation was the goal of each of the Commission members, all of whom are private citizens serving without compensation. No incumbent member is a legislative lobbyist. Since 1970 Arizona’s Constitution provided the voters with a final review of the Commissions’ recommendation regarding legislative compensation.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATIVE PAY INCREASE

Arizona’s legislators deserve a pay increase. Their pay has not been raised since 1981, when it was increased from $6,000 to $15,000 per year. Arizona’s ninety legislators are responsible for establishing a multi-billion dollar budget, passing the criminal laws of this state, and enacting legislation which affects the lives of all Arizonans. It is much more than a part-time job for legislators who fulfill their responsibilities.

Many Arizonans are unable to run for the Legislature because of the long hours and low pay. Voting "Yes" on Proposition 302 will increase the number of legislative candidates the voters will have to choose from in future elections.

The Arizona Judges Association urges you to vote "Yes" on Proposition 302 to increase legislators’ salaries.

Argument "For" Proposition 302

Many Arizona legislators clearly don’t deserve a raise. Their inability to resolve issues such as school financing, cockfighting, and the brown cloud over Phoenix, to name just a few, will probably mean they’ll lose this vote for a fair wage. Their failures, I assert, are precisely the reason we should give the Arizona Legislature a raise.

There are many good people down there, but they can’t get the job done because of the do-nothings and the know-nothings. We must attact more intelligent, decent people and, to do that, we must offer more than the starvation wage of $15,000. It’s naive to think we can find ninety talented and honest people who will put their careers on hold and risk their family’s financial future.

For Arizona’s sake, vote YES on Prop. 302

Statement for 1998 Ballot Proposition 302

In Arizona we have a Citizen’s Legislature. In order to allow every citizen the opportunity to serve as a representative of their neighbors at the State Legislature we pay a salary so that the hardship of spending a substantial part of their year at the Capitol does not discourage or prevent good candidates from participating.

Currently, members of the Citizen’s Legislature receive only $15,000 per year. This amount has not been raised in 18 years. It is also difficult for legislators to obtain employment for the months they are not in session due to possible conflicts of interest.

The legislature in Arizona does not approve raises for itself, instead recommendations are made by a non-partisan panel, that had no lobbyists on it, called the Commission of Salaries for Elective State Offices. After public hearings and serious study, the Commission unamiously approved an annual legislative salary of $24,000 a year for 1999. This would allow continued participation in the legislative process by good candidates.

If you want a better legislature, remember the adage - "You get what you pay for!" Join me in voting to keep legislative salaries at a level which allows your neighbors the opportunity to represent you without financial hardship. Let’s support better government and a brighther outlook for Arizona’s future and vote for a fair, modest and long overdue increase.

The Secretary of State did not receive arguments against Proposition 302.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED STATE OFFICERS AS TO LEGISLATIVE SALARIES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND ARE HEREBY SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR REJECTION.

PROVIDES FOR AN INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT SALARY OF STATE LEGISLATORS FROM $15,000 PER ANNUM TO $24,000 PER ANNUM WITH PER DIEM REIMBURSEMENT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED STATE OFFICERS.

"SHALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED 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……………………..……………$15,000

PROPOSED SALARY:

"EACH STATE LEGISLATOR SHALL BE PAID $24,000 PER ANNUM, AND AS FURTHER COMPENSATION, PER DIEM REIMBURSEMENT COMMENSURATE WITH AND AS PROVIDED BY LAW FOR NON-ELECTIVE ARIZONA STATE EMPLOYEES."

A "yes" vote shall have the effect of raising State Legislators’ annual salaries to $24,000, and as further compensation, per diem reimbursement commensurate with and as provided by law for non-elective Arizona state employees.

A "no" vote shall have the effect of maintaining State Legislators’ annual salaries at $15,000, with the current legislative per diem rate.