Capitol Roundup: Lawmakers advance pay raise proposals
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
State lawmakers would significantly increase their notoriously low pay under a pair of legislative proposals.
The big picture: The House Appropriations Committee approved two measures on Monday that would boost lawmaker compensation.
- One would refer a proposal to the 2026 ballot asking voters to index legislators' $24,000 annual salary to inflation.
- Under a bill the committee passed, lawmakers from Maricopa County would substantially increase their per diem payments during session.
- Maricopa County lawmakers receive smaller per diem payments than colleagues from the rest of the state due to their higher travel expenses.
By the numbers: Because the annual inflation adjustments would be retroactive to 1998, the last time voters passed a legislative pay raise, it would raise salaries to about $48,000 a year, per Capitol Media Services.
- Maricopa County lawmakers' per diem payments would go from $35 to nearly $200.
Why it matters: In theory, Arizona has a part-time legislature, but the job can be very time-intensive, making it difficult for lawmakers to juggle additional work to make a living.
- Former Sen. Eva Burch (D-Mesa) resigned last month, citing low pay as one of the reasons.
What's next: The inflation measure needs only a vote in the full House to go to the ballot, while the per diem bill must go back to the Senate for a final vote if it passes the House.
Chase Field bill stalled
Legislation to let the Diamondbacks renovate Chase Field using sales tax revenue generated by the team was pulled from Wednesday's Senate Appropriations Committee agenda.
- Committee chair Sen. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) told Axios he removed the bill from the agenda because he was told it didn't have the votes and because the team wasn't happy about proposed Democratic amendments.
- It's unclear when the committee will meet again and vote on the Chase Field bill.
Between the lines: Gov. Katie Hobbs told reporters on Tuesday that she thinks "we're close to getting to an agreement" that would satisfy everyone's concerns.
- Yes, but: She wouldn't commit to vetoing the final bill if Phoenix or Maricopa County are opposed, saying, "I don't have a red line in the sand, and I'm hopeful it doesn't come to that."
- She told KTAR on Tuesday that "at this point" she would sign the bill.
Hobbs signs off
Meanwhile, Hobbs signed more than two dozen bills this week on an array of topics, including:
- Additionally restricting inmates' ability to send unwanted communications to their victims.
- Strengthening sex crime laws to criminalize observing a nude minor for purposes of engaging in sexual conduct.
- Prohibiting health profession regulatory boards from asking applicants if they've sought treatment or received diagnoses for mental health issues.
- Moving up the deadline for people to file as write-in candidates.
- Requiring third-party campaign finance complaints to be submitted by an "identifiable human being."
What we're watching: The House is expected to vote on an amendment Monday to the stalled "stolen valor" bill that was blocked in the Senate.