Legislators to cut own pay?

Published 12:06 am Sunday, January 31, 2010

JACKSON (AP) — Mississippi legislators are considering whether to temporarily cut their own pay and to permanently reduce the size of the House and Senate.

Supporters say both proposals are designed to save money during tight budget times.

Opponents say the ideas are more about scoring political points than saving money, and neither has much chance of becoming law.

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One bill would cut lawmakers’ base pay from $10,000 to $9,000 in 2011. Salaries for the lieutenant governor and House speaker would drop from $60,000 to $54,000 for the year. Everyone’s pay would go back up in January 2012.

The other bill would cut the Senate from 52 members to 47 and the House from 122 members to 110, beginning in January 2012.