Oklahoma City, OK – Leaders won't ask for raise
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An Oklahoma legislative leader says because of a revenue shortfall, he wouldn't recommend a pay raise for lawmakers.
House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, said Friday the Legislative Compensation Board has the ultimate decision on whether legislators' pay should remain at the same level it's been for 12 years.
State agencies have had to cut 5 percent out of their budgets for the past three months to deal with decreased revenue. Tax collections have come in 26 percent below estimates for the first three months of fiscal year 2010, which began July 1.
The Legislative Compensation Board last recommended an increase in legislative salaries in 1997, from $32,000 to the present base pay of $38,400.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com