Salaries for Idaho state legislators would rise 4 percent over the next two years, from the current $16,684 a year to just over $17,350, under a recommendation approved on a 3-2 vote today by the Citizens Committee on Legislative Compensation. The citizens commission recommendation stands unless the Legislature votes next year to reject it. 

Former state Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, made the motion, noting that over the past 20 years, state lawmakers pay has risen an average of 2.02 percent a year; the recommendation essentially matches that, raising the pay 2 percent next year and 2 percent the year after. Over that same time period, legislators approved raises for state employees averaging 1.8 percent per year. This year, lawmakers approved merit raises for state employees for next year averaging 3 percent.

Though the commission’s vote was divided, there was no discussion on the proposal. The panel has had extensive discussions today, however, on questions ranging from vouchered and unvouchered expenses to legislative retirement benefits. No changes in any of those were approved. The 2 percent raise next year would bring state lawmaker pay to $17.017.68; with the second 2 percent boost the following year bumping it up to $17,358.03.