Republican Senator Unveils Plan to Adjust Lawmakers’ Pay Amid Rising Inflation

Senator John Kavanagh is advocating for an opportunity for voters to reevaluate legislative salaries in Arizona. He proposes a measure for the 2026 ballot that aims to implement automatic inflation adjustments to lawmakers’ salaries.

If approved, this initiative would link salary increases to the Consumer Price Index, allowing for annual raises without requiring future voter approval. Currently, legislators earn $24,000 annually, a figure set in 1998 that Kavanagh acknowledges has not kept pace with inflation.

Kavanagh, the longest-serving member of the Arizona legislature, recognizes past rejections by voters to increase salaries. Nevertheless, he argues that his proposal differs as it would establish a mechanism for ongoing adjustments based on current salary rather than seeking larger increases at once.

Had his plan been enacted this year, lawmakers would have received a raise of $648, reflecting the most recent 2.7% inflation rate. Kavanagh notes that the part-time designation of legislative roles frequently does not align with the demands faced by lawmakers, who often work beyond the 100-day session.

According to Kavanagh, the rigorous schedule and numerous meetings throughout the year limit the ability of legislators to hold outside jobs. He believes that a salary of $48,000, adjusted for inflation since 1998, is not excessive given the responsibilities involved in lawmaking.

The Kansas legislature’s salary system is unique. Voter approval is required for salary changes under the Arizona Constitution. Moreover, the salaries are to be assessed by the Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers, which has not made recommendations in recent years due to lack of appointments by former governors.

Under past administrations, initiatives to raise legislative salaries have repeatedly failed. In 2014, a proposal to increase salaries to $35,000 received a mere 32% approval from voters. Current Governor Katie Hobbs has yet to revive the salary commission.

Kavanagh contends that his plan would alleviate this stagnation by ensuring automatic adjustments that don’t rely on the commission or the governor, effectively removing voters from future salary deliberations.

The senator’s fallback is that if the compensation can be automatically adjusted in areas such as minimum wage, a similar approach for legislators shouldn’t be controversial. Yet, he recognizes the underlying challenge — convincing voters that lawmakers deserve more amid varied public opinion on their performance.

The base salary of $24,000 comes with additional compensation, including a minimum daily allowance of $35 for local lawmakers during the legislative session, and potentially larger allowances for those traveling from other counties. Moreover, after 20 years of service, lawmakers can earn a pension based on prior salaries, further complicating salary discussions.

Historical salary changes offer context: In 1912, lawmakers earned a mere $7 per day, with adjustments occurring intermittently, culminating in the current $24,000 established through voter approval in 1998. As discussions resume, Kavanagh seeks to provide voters another opportunity to weigh in on legislative compensation in a manner that allows for necessary adjustments over time.