The Legislative Compensation Board has voted to raise the salary for state representatives and senators to $47,500 a year.

This is a proper decision.

Lawmakers have no say in these pay decisions. In fact, in 2017 the board arbitrarily cut the pay by 8.8%. Board Chairman Wes Milbourn at that time said the move was because the public was “frustrated” with the Legislature.

A new board, appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, the Speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tem, voted 7-2 to raise the salaries from $35,021 to $47,500, effective November 18, 2020 (following the election).

The board also raised the stipends to the Speaker and Senate pro tem from $16,354 to $17,932 and for other legislative leaders from $11,276 to $12,364.

Critics say that is too much salary for “part-time” legislators who are in only in session for a few months a year.

The truth is that if they are doing their job, it is a year-round obligation. Most are involved in interim studies between sessions.

Except for a few professions, it is very difficult for lawmakers to work at another job when they are not in session. Plus, legislators are not paid extra salary if they are called into special session. That happened last year.

In terms of the nation, legislative salaries are in the middle of the pack of other states.

People deserved to be paid appropriately for their service. The state budget is in great shape and these raises are well deserved.