ATLANTA (AP) The Georgia House on Wednesday passed a bill that would cut salaries for members of the General Assembly by 10% amid an economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
After a lengthy debate, the House voted 106-51 in favor of Senate Bill 416, sending it back to the Senate for consideration of House changes.
The bill would cut lawmakers' yearly salary of more than $17,350 by 10% in the budget year beginning July 1. Lawmakers would still get their full daily expense pay. Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan's pay of nearly $92,000 a year would be cut by 14%, a cut he has volunteered for.
Lawmakers say they want to give up part of their pay to show they are sharing in the suffering of state agencies, K-12 schools, universities and others that are likely to face 10% budget cuts after state tax revenue fell.
The Senate on Tuesday approved an 11% cut for lawmakers in a different bill.
``As elected officials, this is an important step, an important message,'' said Rep. Houston Gaines, a Republican from Athens who introduced the bill.
Not all legislators agreed with the action.
``You should take from those who've got something, because you don't pay us enough to move the scale,'' said Rep. Al Williams, a Democrat from Midway. Williams noted that while the session is only 40 days, legislators have year-round responsibilities, including communicating with constituents.
Sunday
May 5th, 2024
11:17AM
