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November 9, 2009

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Letter: Alternate plan for legislators’ pay

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1998 | 10:39 a.m.

A couple of points please:

1. Legislators receive more than $16,000 in indirect compensation each session to cover travel, lodging, food etc. These payments mitigate the need for higher direct compensation.

2. The last blue-ribbon panel appointed by the Legislature and chaired by Dr. Al Johns accepted the concept of tying legislative compensation to the private sector. Its recommendation was approved by the Assembly but rejected by the Senate.

3. The $15,000 figure in front of you would have been OK under a six-month session but is too high for four months.

4. Alternative proposal: 1998 average private sector wage: $28,900. Divide by 3 (4 months) = $9,633 Divide by 60 days = $160.55 ($161.00 per day).

Now you have a compensation figure tied directly to the people and you can defend the number in any forum.

The people's Legislature should make what the people make.

Knight Allen

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