I was sad to read the Legislative Council rejected a proposal to create a fair system of remuneration for all legislators that supports the goal of a citizen legislature. Any system that disadvantages a parent, particularly a single parent, merits additional study. A couple of thoughts to consider.
Salary is salary, and should be the same for all who serve, regardless of the number of days. Legislators work diligently even when not in session. Alaskans expect their elected officials to represent them year round so why not acknowledge this in the base salary? Some out-of-town legislators do not use all of the per diem collected. When funds collected are not used for housing, it effectively becomes additional disposable “earnings” that may be used for purposes other than per diem, meaning per diem really amounts to additional salary.
Why keep a system that creates a disparity between Juneau legislators and all other legislators, one that may impact a citizen’s financial ability to serve? Legislators could adopt the state employee per diem schedule. A merit system that pays all legislators the same salary and subscribes to an existing per diem system means a Juneau legislator does not need or deserve per diem because they have no housing costs. This would be fair.
I have faith the Legislature can come up with a system fair to all concerned, as opposed to one that would cause a citizen willing to serve to be financially unable to do so. Please convene a workgroup over the interim and return to Juneau next January with a salary/per diem proposal that is a win-win for all.
Sally Saddler
Juneau