The Independent Citizens Commission, which sets pay for state officials, has begun work on considering pay raises for 2023 and inflation figured in presentations they heard today.
Representatives of the judiciary and prosecuting attorneys said they hoped for pay raises to offset inflation that matched the total of 7 percent Governor Hutchinson directed for other state employees — a 2 percent increase for all employees and 5 percent increases distributed on a merit basis.
No specific presentations were made today for the legislature and statewide executive offices.
Annabelle Imber Tuck, elected new chair of the commission, said more information would be gathered for consideration in October, with plans to complete work on pay before Jan. 1.
The Commission today did approve new per diem and mileage reimbursement rates for legislators, following as customary the recommendations from the federal General Services Administration. The expense payments are generally free from income taxes for legislators.
Currently, legislators receive 58.5 cents a mile for vehicle expenses and per diem of $59 a day for those who live less than 50 miles from the capitol and $155 for those who live more than 50 miles away. The per diem rate apparently will increase by $2 for the most distant legislator, according to a GSA website, and mileage reimbursement will rise to 62.5 cents per mile.
A constitutional amendment in 2014, meant to remove the hot potato of pay from the legislature’s agenda, has produced a steady diet of pay increases for state officials, particularly the judiciary.
These pay levels were approved by the commission last year.
They range from roughly $93,000 to $154,000 for statewide officials; $157,000 to $205,000 for judges; $145,000 to $171,000 for prosecuting attorneys, and $43,000 for members of the General Assembly.
UPDATE: Later in the day, Governor Hutchinson appointed Frank Guinn of Paragould to the commission. He succeeds Chuck Banks of Little Rock, who resigned in August.
- Phillip Fletcher and Clark Smith not present
- Tommy May
- Jonathan Rogers
- Annabelle Imber Tuck
- Jan Zimmerman
- Clark Smith