FRANKFORT, Ky. — Two Kentucky lawmakers are hoping to make a long-lasting change during their last session as members of the General Assembly.
Neither Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, nor State Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, are seeking reelection. But both want to see future lawmakers compensated higher than they now.
Right now, Kentucky state representatives and senators are paid on a daily rate during session, with party leaders making no more than $254 a day. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said the belief that being a member of the General Assembly and being paid as such is “antiquated.”
Thayer said he's looking to send a message as he leaves Frankfort after more than 20 years.
“I’m not going to push Senate Bill 350 for passage this year, but I want to make the point that I think lawmakers deserve to make more money," Thayer said. "If people want to keep good people in both parties, willing to run for these offices, the pay needs to be equal to the time."
Thayer’s SB 350 would give lawmakers a minimum salary of $75,000 a year. For his position and the House majority leader, the salary would be $105,000. Thayer said the idea that legislators work part time is an outdated way of thinking.
“This is not a part-time job," he said. "If you’re going to be good at it, you’ve got to make it a full-time job. You take calls nights and weekends, on vacation; you’re going to events in the evenings. You put aside what your main business may be to do this."
Raymond introduced House Bill 396 a month before Thayer. Her bill sets a base salary of $60,000 a year for members of both chambers. Much like Thayer’s bill, Raymond’s would pay leadership roles a higher wage: $75,000, while chairmen of committees would get $65,000.
“I got my W-2 in the mail recently, and last year, I earned $39,000," Raymond said. "With three young kids, I am able to do it because I have a supportive spouse that makes more than I do."
The bare minimum a state representative or state senator makes is $203.08 a day during session. Raymond said her proposal would decrease some lawmakers’ pay, but it evens the playing field for people who can’t afford to run for office.
“Single people, younger people, parents of young kids, people of color, people without generational wealth: these perspectives are lacking right now in the legislature, and this is a step we could take to ensure that they’re here when we make policy,” Raymond said.
Thayer’s bill would pay chairmen of committees an extra $15,000. Both bills would reimburse lawmakers for traveling expenses while not in session and engaged in duties of their office.
“I think the pay should be commensurate with the effort that goes into it and the responsibilities we have," Thayer said. "The decisions we make here probably have more of an effect on everybody’s daily lives than the decisions made in Congress, in Washington, D.C.”
Neither Thayer nor Raymond are seeking reelection in the General Assembly. Raymond is leaving the House to run for Louisville Metro Council seat while Thayer said serving in the Senate has been an honor but is “rewiring” after a two-decade career in state politics.
Raymond’s bill has not yet gained any traction in the House. Thayer’s bill has been assigned to the Senate state and local government committee.