Idaho lawmakers will see an increase in their pay from $19,913, to $25,000 per year for the next two years.

The Citizens’ Committee on Legislative Compensation unanimously approved this increase Wednesday morning at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. 

The Idaho Senate president pro tem and Idaho House speaker will also receive an increase of an additional $5,000 per year to $5,500 per year, and minority leadership will receive an increase of an additional $2,000 to $2,500. 

The new salary structure will take effect on Dec. 1 for the next two years, unless the state Senate and House of Representatives reject or reduce the new rates by concurrent resolution within 25 days of the legislative session, which begins Jan. 6. If the new rates are rejected, the previous lower rates will remain in effect.

Costs for daily meals and travel expenses during the annual legislative session will remain covered under the new structure.

According to the Idaho Constitution, the Legislature “shall have no authority to establish the rate of its compensation and expense by law.” Rather, a citizens committee must establish the salary of Idaho lawmakers. The committee consists of six members who are not public officials – three appointed by the governor and three by the Idaho Supreme Court.

Committee rejects original proposal for 43% increase

The original request from Idaho Senate and House leadership and minority leadership sought a 43% pay increase for state lawmakers. This proposed pay rate would have boosted salaries to $37,801 in the coming year while eliminating some expense reimbursements, the Idaho Statesman reported.

On Wednesday, the committee rejected that proposal.

“I think leadership has done a great job, but I just don’t think they deserve that much more compensation,” committee member Mary Hasenoehrl said. 

At Wednesday’s hearing, three individuals voiced their opposition to the original proposal, beginning with American Action Fund Idaho field manager Sulamita Rotante. 

“A 43% pay increase for legislators during a time of historic inflation is out of touch with what Idaho people want and the conservative values we hold true. This should be a no brainer for our elected officials,” she said. “… Legislators should be focused on cutting government spending and taxes, or cutting government spending and taxes.”

Rotante also said it was “concerning” that the committee chose to meet at 8 a.m. the day after the presidential election. Committee chairman Dennis Johnson said he is aware of the inconvenience of the timing of the meeting. However, it was not an attempt to “do this in the dark of the night,” he said, but rather it met the schedules of those who are on this committee. 

Others who spoke in opposition to the proposed pay increases included Idaho Freedom Foundation policy director Niklas Kleinworth, and District 25 Idaho House Representative-elect David Leavitt.

“I believe it sends a wrong message to our taxpayers to fund lawmaker raises,” Leavitt said. “We should be focusing on saving taxpayers money.”

Idaho Senate Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, attended the hearing virtually on Zoom. Winder, who was defeated in his May primary election and won’t be returning to the Legislature in January, defended the proposed increases, emphasizing the need to attract younger candidates and the high cost of housing in Boise.

“In Boise, housing is very difficult to obtain, and people are actually living in hotels,” Winder said.  “I can remember 10 years ago when a $100 a room was kind of the top end. Now to get a room in the downtown area or close to the capitol, you’re looking at $200 to $300 a night.”