Bill to give pay raises to Mississippi elected officials on governor’s desk

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – How would you want a $60,000 pay increase?

That’s what some elected officers in Mississippi might obtain beneath a invoice now sitting on Gov. Tate Reeves’ desk.

It might give statewide elected officers, together with the governor, a giant pay enhance – courtesy of taxpayers.

Supporters say it’s about making the state extra aggressive.

Below Home Invoice 1426, the governor’s wage would enhance from $122,000 to $160,000.

Mississippi’s legal professional basic would see an identical enhance.

Different statewide elected officers just like the auditor and insurance coverage commissioner would obtain a fair larger enhance of $60,000.

The Mississippi State Personnel Board (MSPB) beneficial the pay raises which might not take impact till 2024, after the state’s subsequent election.

Kelly Hardwick, the chief director of the MSPB, says it would carry Mississippi extra consistent with what different states pay their elected officers.

“The final compensation enhance was in 2003,” stated Hardwick. “What you’re trying to do as a state authorities and as a taxpayer, is that you really want one of the best and brightest on the market. And one of many methods to do this is ensure that your salaries are aggressive.”

Hardwick stated workers who work for the governor, legal professional basic and different businesses will even get a increase.

He says a lot of these workers are sometimes approached by the non-public sector.

“Typically, you’d be going in search of one other job. However right here, what we have been discovering is there was plenty of unsolicited,” stated Hardwick.

He says the wage enhance will make the state extra aggressive in retaining its workers.

“What we’re trying to do is that put us in a circumstance to the place we’re getting one of the best and brightest statewide officers and all elected officers and that we’re providing the staff which might be doing plenty of the work and the entrance of the work are getting paid and compensated in a manner that’s not solely aggressive, nevertheless it’s constant and it’s equitable,” stated Hardwick.

The invoice handed each chambers of the legislature by massive margins.

State Rep. Dana Criswell of DeSoto County was one of many lawmakers who voted towards the invoice.

“I don’t assume we must always ever increase the pay of politicians,” stated Criswell. “If a politician doesn’t just like the pay, then they need to not run for the job. So, I’d by no means vote for or help elevating the pay for any politician.”

The governor has till subsequent Monday to signal the invoice or veto it.

If he does nothing, it would turn out to be legislation with out his signature.

“The governor is reviewing the laws and can decide previous to the deadline,” stated Shelby Wilcher, press secretary for Reeves.

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