Texas House Bill HJR57

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to set the salaries of members of the legislature and the lieutenant governor based on the average public school teacher salary in this state.

Impact

If enacted, HJR57 could significantly impact state laws regarding the compensation standards for legislative officeholders. The change would replace fixed legislative salaries with a variable model tied to educational salaries, marking a shift in how public leaders are compensated. This amendment could lead to increases or decreases in salary based on actual educational compensation trends, fostering a connection between legislative pay and teacher salaries while potentially improving public perception of legislative roles. Furthermore, since the amendment mandates voter approval, the accountability of legislative compensation will ultimately rest with the electorate.

Summary

HJR57 proposes a constitutional amendment that would alter the salary structure for members of the Texas legislature and the lieutenant governor. Specifically, the amendment aims to set their salaries based on the average salary of a full-time certified classroom teacher in Texas public schools from the previous school year. This approach is intended to align the compensation of legislative leaders more closely with public education professionals, reflecting their contributions to society and acknowledging the importance of education. The Texas Ethics Commission would be responsible for determining and adjusting these salaries annually.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HJR57 may arise from various stakeholders, including current legislators who might view the change as undermining their financial stability or affecting the attractiveness of public service roles. Some may express concerns about the appropriateness of tying legislative salaries to teacher salaries, arguing that the skill set and responsibilities of elected officials differ significantly from those of educators. Others might argue that while linking salaries to teacher pay could be seen as an equitable solution, it risks politicizing compensation when the educational budget varies with state funding levels and economic conditions.