Pennsylvania lawmakers just received a 3.25% pay increase on Dec. 1, raising their base salary to $113,575. Only New York and California’s legislators make more.
The national average for state lawmakers was $47,904, less than half of what the commonwealth’s lawmakers made, per the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The Pennsylvania legislature’s increases also are automatic, which means they go into effect without a vote. Gov. Josh Shapiro will see a pay bump too, going from $245,760 to $253,747.
The raises come after a more than four-month budget impasse, which forced some counties, school districts and non-profits across the state to take drastic measures like reducing staff or taking out high-interest loans to keep the lights on.
Bruce Larson, political science professor at Gettysburg College, said voters may question the automatic raise.
“I think the public expects elected officials to play by similar rules that they play by, you know,” Larson said. “And most people, unless you’re on Social Security, don’t get automatic pay increases mandated by law.”
In 1995, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a law requiring automatic annual cost of living increases, or COLAs, for state lawmakers, the governor and other top officials.
There is no uniform process used by states to establish base salaries. Among full-time legislatures, lawmakers in New York lead the nation, receiving a base pay of $142,000. California follows closely at $132,703 with Pennsylvania right behind.
Other states which have part-time legislatures vary dramatically: New Mexico legislators make nothing; New Hampshire legislators receive an annual salary of $100; Nevada has a daily rate of $130 with limits on how many days can be paid for; and North Dakota has a monthly rate of $592.
Pennsylvania and pay raises
Twenty years ago, Pennsylvania lawmakers voted on a massive pay raise — up to 34% depending on the position — during a 2 a.m. voting session. They ultimately repealed it after a huge public outcry that resulted in an unprecedented outcome: more than 50 legislators either lost their seats or did not seek re-election.
Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon County, was at the forefront of the effort to primary those who were involved in the 2005 pay raise. Diamond said he co-sponsors bills every session to eliminate COLAs.
“I think the automatic thing has gotten a little bit out of hand,” Diamond said. “I think if we are going to get a pay raise, it ought to be voted on.”
But for Diamond, donating the excess money to charity would still mean he has to pay taxes on them. And giving it back to the state is not in his cards.
“Because what happens is now I’m giving money back to Josh Shapiro to use it somewhere else when, you know, I’d rather spend it here in my own Lebanon County economy and help this economy grow,” Diamond said.
Salaries are not the only form of income for Pennsylvania lawmakers. The commonwealth is one of at least 25 states that don’t restrict lawmakers from having multiple jobs. Lawmakers also have limited restrictions when it comes to gifts and campaign donations.
Research suggests higher salaries don’t necessarily improve governance. A Duke University study also found that increasing salaries for government officials does not equate to more opportunities for working class people to win office.
Thomas Baldoni, who taught political science at Wilkes University for 28 years, noted that a pay raise increase can especially be contentious after a four-month budget impasse.
“It becomes unnecessary, only because the legislators bring it upon themselves by not fulfilling their obligations,” Baldoni said. “For example, in this instance of passing a budget on time.”
Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin County, believes that COLAs should be provided in every industry to retain talent, something he’s seen in his role recruiting candidates with the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee.
“We try to get doctors, engineers, lawyers and top folks,” Madsen said. “And part of that is if you want to get people out of those industries with competitive salaries, you have to entice them with good paying benefits.”
But Bruce Larson from Gettysburg College argued that public service comes with an undeniable cost.
“It involves making a sacrifice arguably in salary,” Larson said. “And if the ability to work on public problems and pass legislation isn’t sufficiently motivating by itself, well then you probably just have to stay in the private sector, you know what I mean?”
Some states like California and Washington have independent commissions that set lawmaker salaries.
“If we let an independent agency make the judgement call on pay raises, it would remove some of the uncertainty for taxpayers and the public would place more trust in Harrisburg,” Baldoni said.
