Missouri House members are being asked to reject a pay increase for themselves, the governor, and other statewide officials.

The Missouri Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials recommended in its December 1 report an increase in pay over the next two years of five-percent for Representatives and Senators, and of eight-percent for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Auditor.
House Concurrent Resolution 4, filed by Representative Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City), would reject the Commission’s recommendation and thereby block those pay raises. To pass, it must be approved by two-thirds votes in each chamber and would go then to Governor Eric Greitens (R). If no action is taken before February 1, the Commission’s recommendations would be enacted.
Bernskoetter, who recently spoke with House Communications about the chances the state will be able to increase the pay of its workers in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget, said this is not the time for legislators and other elected officials to get a raise.
House Democrat Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City) agrees that the proposed increases should be rejected.
Bernskoetter’s resolution is scheduled to be considered by the House General Laws Committee Tuesday at 2:30. The Committee will likely vote on it during a hearing on the following day.
The Citizens’ Commission was created so that the power to control how much elected officials are paid lies with citizens. It generally makes salary recommendations for elected officials and judges every two years.