Lawmaker defends vote for raise

• By KRISTIN GRANT
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Jun 27, 2008 - Page: 6B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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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, 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,” Harrison said.

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 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 they are in session or otherwise conducting legislative business such as 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, cited the cost of renting an apartment as a place to stay while in Baton Rouge on legislative affairs.

“There’s no added expenses to pay for an apartment, which I had to, because hotel rooms were just out of reach to be able to stay there night after night and not be able to come back and work and be there,” Harrison said.

Legislators’ per diem is taxed and does not begin to cover expenses, he contended.

“It is a burden on my personal finances,” Harrison said Thursday.

He expressed concern that many newly seated legislators may decide not to endure the heated political climate created, adding that his family members also have had to hear criticism from the community.

Harrison said he was disappointed that many are comparing salaries with other state legislatures without comparing the time of work.

No one at the Police Jury meeting asked Harrison any questions or responded to his comments.

Harrison is a former Assumption Parish president and  former School Board and Police Jury member. He is in his first term as state representative.