The salaries of Maryland?s lawmakers could be reduced more often under a proposal from an Anne Arundel County Republican ? offering, he said, another tool to fix the state?s financial troubles.
Under the proposal, legislators could pursue a salary reduction any year, instead of every fourth year under current law, said bill sponsor Sen. Bryan Simonaire. Members of a Senate committee heard Simonaire?s proposal during a hearing Thursday, when no one testified in favor or in opposition of it.
“We are handicapping ourselves in this process,” Simonaire said. “Problems don?t always occur in a four-year cycle.”
Lawmakers? salaries for this term, which ends in 2010, is $43,500 and $56,500 for presiding officers, according to the Department of Legislative Services. Compensation for each term is suggested by a commission, which can be approved, rejected or reduced by the General Assembly. Legislators cannot increase the commission?s recommendation.
If approved by the General Assembly, the salary could be adjusted each year instead of each term. The constitutional amendment would be put to voters in a referendum on ballots in the November general election.
