Posted: 2/5/03

Vandeveer, Bachmann seek legislative pay cut

T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter

Two lawmakers who represent the Forest Lake area are out to cut their own wages.

District 52A Rep. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake, and District 52 Sen. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, are sponsoring legislation to cut the salaries of lawmakers and constitutional offices by four percent.

ìI do think weíre in a real (budget) crisis and I think itís important we show leadership,î Vandeveer said. He first sponsored the bill in 2002.

Vandeveer estimated the proposed four percent cut ó which would be in effect for two years ó would save about $500,000.

Thatís not much money compared to the size of the projected $4.6 billion budget deficit, he said. But itís important the Legislature not spare itself from the financial pain others will feel, he said.

Vandeveerís idea

Bachmann credits Vandeveer with originally suggesting the salary cut.

She sees the proposed cut as both symbolic and practical. Senate Republicans have proposed placing a salary freeze on state employees, Bachmann said.

Thatís significant, she said. And it deserves equally significant gesture from lawmakers.

ìWe are not asking public employees to do what we wouldnít do,î Bachmann said.

Lawmakersí salaries have been frozen since 1997, she said.

Still, sheís crafting legislation that would cut Senate per diem pay ó extra granted for cost of living expenses ó by 10 percent.

Senate per diem pay is currently $66 a day, she noted. House per diem pay is $52 a day.

Bachmannís legislation would not affect House per diem pay.

The salary reduction legislation had just been introduced. So far, no committee hearings had been scheduled in the Senate.

Popular idea

Vandeveer said his four percent bill did receive a single committee hearing previously in the House.

But before it was hard to find co-authors, he said.

Now lawmakers are lining up to be a co-author and thereís any number of ìSenate cloneî salary bills in the works, Vandeveer said.

How far the legislation will go in the House is an open question.

House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, indicated he didnít believe the bill would move forward.

Senate and House members make about $31,200 per year. Constitutional officers make more: the governor, for instance, earns $123,000 a year.

Leslie Kupchella, Pawlenty press secretary, said the governorís attitude towards the four percent proposal is that itís something to look at.

Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer said sheís willing to do her part, according to a spokesman.

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