The State Officers Compensation Commission has ruled against raises for the state’s top lawmakers.
On Oct. 27, the commission met in Anchorage as part of an annual process that reviews the compensation of the state’s elected and appointed officials. During its analysis, the commission compared state salaries with those paid by others in similar positions Outside. The commission found there was some merit for raising the pay of state commissioners, but it could not recommend increases as the state faces annual deficits of nearly $4 billion.
The commission, established in 1976, is to provide an independent look at lawmakers’ salaries rather than rely on the Legislature to decide its own pay. Studies have found that higher pay for elected officials is a disincentive for bribery and corruption.
