Lawmaker defends pay raise vote
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NAPOLEONVILLE — State Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Labadieville, defended during remarks to the Assumption Police Jury Wednesday night his vote in favor of a $20,700 annual raise in the base pay of Louisiana’s 144 lawmakers.
“If we all look at six months at $37,000,” Harrison said, “it’s not a lot of money when you have people away from their homes — not living at home but living in Baton Rouge — taking time away from their families and their businesses to be there.”
The Legislature approved and forwarded to Gov. Bobby Jindal Senate Bill 672, which would increase lawmakers’ $16,800 annual salaries to $37,500. It would not adjust their per diem and yearly unvouchered expense allowances considered income by the federal Internal Revenue Service.
In addition to a salary, each legislator gets a $6,000 annual unvouchered expense allowance and $143 a day for each day he or she is in session or otherwise conducting legislative business such as attending committee meetings.
The pay raise is to take effect on Tuesday, although Jindal has until July 8 to veto it if he chooses. Jindal has said, however, he does not plan to veto the bill.
Harrison, owner of a financial planning business, in explaining his vote for the pay increase cited the cost of renting an apartment as a place to stay while in the state capital on legislative affairs.
“If we all look at six months at $37,000,” Harrison said, “it’s not a lot of money when you have people away from their homes — not living at home but living in Baton Rouge — taking time away from their families and their businesses to be there.”
The Legislature approved and forwarded to Gov. Bobby Jindal Senate Bill 672, which would increase lawmakers’ $16,800 annual salaries to $37,500. It would not adjust their per diem and yearly unvouchered expense allowances considered income by the federal Internal Revenue Service.
In addition to a salary, each legislator gets a $6,000 annual unvouchered expense allowance and $143 a day for each day he or she is in session or otherwise conducting legislative business such as attending committee meetings.
The pay raise is to take effect on Tuesday, although Jindal has until July 8 to veto it if he chooses. Jindal has said, however, he does not plan to veto the bill.
Harrison, owner of a financial planning business, in explaining his vote for the pay increase cited the cost of renting an apartment as a place to stay while in the state capital on legislative affairs.
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