Panel approves pay raises for elected state officials

OLYMPIA — A citizens commission approved pay hikes for state elected officials Wednesday, including a double-digit increase for lawmakers.

The panel endorsed an 11 percent raise for lawmakers after a majority of members repelled attempts to trim the amount.

The Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials also agreed to boost the pay of the governor and the other eight statewide officeholders, plus that of every judge from district court up to the Supreme Court.

Increases will be applied in two installments: on Sept. 1 and again in September 2016.

Legislators, whose last pay raise was in 2008, will receive an 8 percent increase this fall and another 3 percent next year. That will push the annual pay for 143 lawmakers from $42,106 to $46,839. Leaders of the four caucuses earn more due to their added responsibilities.

“I think we gave them the right raise at the right time,” said Commissioner Raymond Miller of Marysville. “They put in a lot of hard work. We were looking to catch up.”

It didn’t come without debate. Attempts to pare it from 11 percent to 8 percent and to 10 percent both were defeated 9-6. The pay raise was adopted on a 10-5 vote.

No one from the general public spoke at Wednesday’s meeting.

However, during the six-month process, several public school teachers urged commissioners to oppose the increase for lawmakers. And Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, asked the commission in a May 6 letter to give lawmakers no more than what state workers might receive in the next two-year budget, which tentatively is 4.8 percent.

Commissioners acknowledged the wrangling under way in the Legislature over pay for teachers and state workers but said their decisions cannot be swayed by political wind.

Their decisions affirmed recommendations adopted in January, which were based on analyses of how each position aligned with comparable jobs in the private sector and other states.

Though they disagreed on the size of the lawmakers’ raise, commissioners unanimously adopted a new salary schedule for the state’s executive and judicial branches.

They agreed on 4 percent raises for the governor, secretary of state, attorney general and auditor, 5 percent for the superintendent of public instruction and lieutenant governor, 6 percent for the insurance commissioner, 7 percent for the commissioner of public lands and 12 percent for the treasurer.

There was no discussion of whether to exclude the auditor’s job because the current office-holder, Troy Kelley, has been indicted and is on leave.

Commissioner Sarah Mahoskey of Snohomish explained that the panel focused on the position and not the person in it.

“It’s the only way we can do it,” she said.

Commissioners approved 6 percent increases for all judges and added an extra 1.5 percent for the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

With the raise, Gov. Jay Inslee will make $173,617 in 2016, up from $166,891 today. Chief Justice Barbara Madsen’s earnings will climb from $172,531 to $185,661.

The raises are not set in stone and can be blocked with a referendum.

Once the adopted wage schedule is filed with the Secretary of State’s Office, a voter would have 90 days to collect and turn in at least 123,186 valid signatures of registered voters. If successful, the issue could be on the ballot this fall.

To see what the new salaries will be, go to www.salaries.wa.gov.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.