Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The House approved a bill Tuesday giving Utah's governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor and treasurer their first significant pay increase since 2001.
HB368, sponsored by House Majority Assistant Whip Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, would boost the governor's salary from $109,900 to $150,000. The attorney general earns 95 percent of the governor's salary, and the other elected executives earn 90 percent.
Wilson said the increase, recommended by a state commission, is intended to ensure the salaries don't deter potential candidates in the private sector from running for office.
He acknowledged that the adjustment probably should have been made a little at a time, but said the increase amounts to adjusting the salaries for inflation since 2001.
Rep. Susan Duckworth, D-Magna, said she was concerned at the size of the raise, calling 36 percent "a huge amount" considering what public employees can expect to receive this session.
The bill passed 57-16 and goes to the Senate.