MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont lawmakers are considering a watered-down version of a bill to raise their own wages after the measure was blocked by the governor last spring.
Lawmakers make on average just over $800 weekly plus stipends for meals, travel, and lodging during the session. The new proposal introduced Tuesday would link the pay of lawmakers to the average Vermont salary of $59,120. Under the tiered system, committee chairs and legislative leaders would make more. But unlike last year’s bill, lawmakers would not be eligible for state employee health benefits, one of the big sticking points.
“I think it’s fair and important but I also want to listen to my colleagues and constituents to make sure they understand the situation we’re in,” said Sen. Ruth Hardy, D-Addison County.
The bill also sets up and funds a study committee looking into salaries and benefits, staffing, the length of the session, and the number of lawmakers in each chamber.
In rejecting the bill last year, Governor Phil Scott said it didn’t seem fair for legislators to insulate themselves from the very costs they are imposing on their constituents and suggested the same wage increase could be achieved if lawmakers just shortened the session. House lawmakers last summer overrode the governor’s veto while the Senate fell short.
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