Saturday, December 4, 2006
For Immediate Release

Contact: Michael Keathley ,
573-751-1851

Citizens' Commission on Compensation Finalizes Recommendations

Jefferson City - On Wednesday, the Citizens' Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials conducted its final meeting. The commission filed its compensation schedule and report with the Secretary of State and the Revisor of Statutes today as required by Article XIII of the Missouri Constitution. The commission attempted to compile a fiscally prudent and responsible compensation schedule that would allow for modest, reasonable increases for all persons affected. The highlights of the compensation schedule and report are as follows:

1. Beginning July 1, 2007, all judges and statewide elected officials will receive a raise of $1200, plus an additional 4 percent increase. This pay raise mirrors that given to State of Missouri employees since 2000.
2. Beginning January 1, 2009, the increases given to judges and statewide elected officials will also be given to legislators, again placing them only in the same position as state employees generally.
3. All future increases given to state employees generally shall be applied to everyone subject to the schedule in the same fiscal year in which they are applied to state employees.
4. Associate Circuit Judges will receive an additional $2000 to help rectify the pay disparity that exists between Associate Circuit Judges and Circuit Judges.

The commission believes this recommendation accomplishes the twin goals of: a) making the commission function again; and b) rectifying the currently dysfunctional pay system for legislators, statewide elected officials, and judges.

When considered as an annual percentage over the years that have passed since any of these officials have last received any increase, this report’s recommended increases amount to less than a one percent increase per year for all offices. Lastly, the recommendation establishes a system for consistent future increases in the same manner as other State of Missouri employees.

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