Connecticut House Bill HB05147

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/20
• Refer: 2/14/20

Caption

An Act Adjusting State Legislator Salaries For Inflation.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would directly impact the general statutes concerning the salaries of state legislators, marking the first substantial salary adjustment in over two decades. Proponents of the bill argue that the adjustment is necessary to ensure that legislative salaries are commensurate with the economic realities faced by public servants today. They believe that competitive compensation is essential for attracting capable candidates to public office and retaining experienced legislators who play vital roles in governance.

Summary

House Bill 05147 proposes an adjustment to the salaries of state legislators, specifically aiming to increase their base annual salary from $28,000 to $40,628.30. The adjustment is intended to account for inflation from the time the current salary was established in 2001. This increase reflects a significant change in the financial compensation awarded to individuals serving in the General Assembly, potentially altering the financial landscape of public service positions within the state.

Contention

While some support the bill as a long-overdue correction that acknowledges the effects of inflation over time on legislator pay, there are concerns from various sectors of the public regarding the appropriateness of increasing salaries for public officials. Critics may argue that such increases should be approached with caution, especially during times of economic uncertainty or in the presence of budget deficits. Discussions around the bill are likely to involve debates about the value placed on public service and whether current economic conditions warrant such a significant pay raise for legislators.