Idaho legislators will see their salaries increase from $19,913 to $25,000 per year for the next two years.

The Citizens Legislative Compensation Committee unanimously approved this increase Wednesday morning at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.

The President Pro Tempore of the Idaho Senate and the Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives will also receive a raise from an additional $5,000 per year to $5,500 per year, and minority leadership will receive a raise from an additional $2,000 to $2,500.

The new wage structure will take effect Dec. 1 for the next two years, unless the state Senate and House of Representatives reject or reduce the new rates by concurrent resolution within 25 days of the legislative session, which begins on January 6. If new rates are rejected, the previous lower rates will remain in effect.

Daily meal costs and travel expenses during the annual legislative session will continue to be covered under the new structure.

According to the Idaho Constitutionthe Legislature “shall have no authority to establish the rate of his compensation and expenses by law.” Rather, a citizens committee should set the salary of Idaho legislators. the committee It consists of six members who are not public officials: three appointed by the governor and three by the governor of Idaho. Supreme Court.

He original request Idaho Senate and House leaders and minority leaders sought a 43% pay increase for state legislators. This proposed pay rate would have increased salaries to $37,801 in the next year while eliminating some expense reimbursements, he said. Idaho Statesman reported.

On Wednesday, the committee rejected that proposal.

“I think the leaders have done a great job, but I don’t think they deserve much more compensation.” said committee member Mary Hasenoehrl.

At Wednesday’s hearing, three people expressed opposition to the original proposal, starting with American Action Fund Idaho field manager Sulamita Rotante.

“A 43% pay increase for legislators during a time of historic inflation is out of step with what the people of Idaho want and the conservative values ​​we hold dear. “This should be a no-brainer for our elected officials,” he said. “…Lawmakers should focus on cutting government spending and taxes, or cutting government spending and taxes.”

Rotante also said it was “concerning” that the committee decided to meet at 8 a.m. the day after the presidential election. Committee Chairman Dennis Johnson said he is aware of the inconvenience of the meeting’s timing. However, it was not an attempt to “do this in the dead of night,” he said, but rather it met the timelines of those on this committee.

Others who spoke in opposition to the proposed pay increases included Idaho Freedom Foundation policy director Niklas Kleinworth and Idaho House Representative-elect District 25 David Leavitt.

“I think it sends the wrong message to our taxpayers to fund legislators’ raises,” Leavitt said. “We should focus on saving taxpayers money.”

Idaho Sen. Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, attended the hearing virtually via Zoom. Winder, who was defeated in his May primary and will not return to the Legislature in January, defended the proposed increases, emphasizing the need to attract younger candidates and the high cost of housing in Boise.

“In Boise, it’s very hard to get housing and people live in hotels,” Winder said. “I remember that 10 years ago a $100 room was the maximum. Now, to get a room in the city center or near the capital, it costs between $200 and $300 a night.”