Legislators Weigh In on Controversial Bills to Boost Their Own Salaries

Arizona lawmakers took a significant step on Monday, approving two proposals to increase their compensation. The House Appropriations Committee voted 14-3 to seek voter approval for an inflation adjustment to the current legislative salary of $24,000. This adjustment, spearheaded by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, would retroactively index salaries to the year 1998, potentially raising them to approximately $48,000.

This measure, having already received Senate support, is now set for a vote in the full House.

In a related decision, the committee approved an amendment proposed by Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria, significantly altering per diem rates for legislators residing in Maricopa County. The proposal, introduced during a hearing, seeks to elevate daily payments from $35 to nearly $200—approximately 80% of what lawmakers from the other 14 counties receive during the first 120 days of the legislative session.

Despite its potential to quintuple the daily rate, the proposal faced bipartisan scrutiny, passing by a narrow margin of 10-7. Criticism focused on its use as a mechanism for pay increases without voter input, in contrast to Kavanagh’s measure.

For years, legislators from both parties have voiced concerns over stagnant salaries. Since 2021, lawmakers outside Maricopa County have benefited from a significant increase in per diem rates, now aligned with federal standards and granted for the entirety of the session—a notable improvement from prior limitations that capped expenses significantly after 120 days.

While legislators living outside Maricopa can expect compensation exceeding $40,000 with the new structure, those in Maricopa remain capped at $35 daily, leading to calls for equity in pay structures.

Livingston criticized the current disparity, citing his daily commute to the Capitol and emphasizing the need for equitable treatment of all lawmakers regardless of their residence.

In the backdrop of these discussions lies a previous veto by former Governor Doug Ducey, which prevented a comprehensive salary increase for all lawmakers in 2019. At that time, Ducey argued that lawmakers residing in metro Phoenix did not face the same living expenses as their counterparts from outlying areas.

If Livingston’s proposal passes, Maricopa County lawmakers could see their expense payments soar from $4,200 during the initial phase of the session to upwards of $32,000 if they serve an additional two months under the proposed scheme.

Additionally, Livingston’s amendments could have broader implications, prompting discussions about adjusting compensation for statewide elected officials. Current salaries for these positions, including that of Governor Katie Hobbs, remain significantly lower than national averages, inviting scrutiny and calls for reform.

The Appropriations Committee’s vote on Livingston’s proposal reflects a tension between recognizing the financial realities faced by lawmakers and concerns over constitutional implications. Some members emphasized the need for further evaluation to ensure fairness across the board.

As the proposals advance, legislators continue to grapple with the balance between just compensation and adherence to constitutional principles. The ongoing dialogue signals a critical moment in Arizona’s legislative framework, one that could reshape how lawmakers are compensated in the future.