There was a bill before the House and Governmental Affairs Committee Tuesday—HB1201 by John Illg—that does more than pad paychecks. It hands statewide elected officials tens of thousands in raises and new benefits, then apparently puts those increases on autopilot, tying their compensation to university system presidents so it rises quietly, permanently, and without another vote of the legislature required.

Rather than setting salaries directly in statute, the bill ties the salary of the governor to 35 percent of the average salary of public postsecondary system presidents who make an average salary of $500,000 per year by publicly available data. This means the governor’s salary could go from $130,000 per year to $175,000 which is a $45,000 raise. The average median income in Louisiana is $45,000.

The bill also sets statewide elected officials other than the governor at 30 percent of that same average salary meaning they would rise from $115,000 to $150,000. But it doesn’t stop there. This bill would also give a housing stipend to our statewide officials of $2,500 per month ($30,000 a year) and $1,000 per month for a vehicle ($1,200) which would raise that annual salary and stipend to $192,000 per year.

These salaries would automatically rise when the university presidents get a raise.

The entire system of a representative government is grounded in trust and direct accountability to the people. Compensation decisions for those roles have traditionally reflected that relationship by remaining visible, deliberate, and most important of all, subject to review.

Members of the legislature in this bill are also given a boost, but theirs is much more understandable here. They work long hours during session and remain engaged throughout the year, and their staff carry much of the day-to-day burden that keeps government functioning. Many of those staff members do so for far less compensation than their workload would suggest they deserve.

The bill expands legislative per diem and mileage eligibility for up to ten days per month outside of when they are in session when members are engaged in official legislative business. Our legislators make only $16,800 per year. While they’re in Baton Rouge for the two to three months of session per year, depending on the year, and additionally for special sessions, they’re given a small housing stipend and paid mileage. Their boost in this bill would be to allow for an additional 10 days of per diem and mileage for the services they provide throughout the year as your representatives. This more neatly fits within the realm of public service.

There is no question that serving in public office comes with significant responsibility. This is not intended to diminish any public official or their staff’s commitment to their work. Grounding their salaries and other compensation they would receive should be grounded in reality that keeps them within the means of the people they represent.