Council discusses reducing size of Legislature to fund pay raises

Key state lawmakers convened in Bozeman on Wednesday to discuss reducing the number of state representatives and senators to help pay for raises.

The Legislative Council also considered two other options such as pursuing a third-party compensation commission that would set the pay rate for the Legislature. The other option was creating a mechanism like tying the pay to the average weekly wage in Montana.

The Legislative Council is one of four administrative committees within the state’s legislative branch. It is made up of members from both the state’s House and Senate chambers. The council gives direction to legislative services for the efficient operation and improvement of the legislative branch.

Executive Director for the Legislative Services Division Susan Fox presented the three options to the council. The conversation, though, seemed to focus around saving money by reducing the size of the state’s governing body.

Read more: https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/mtleg/council-discusses-reducing-size-of-legislature-to-fund-pay-raises/article_b7114fcd-39e6-5bd0-a6d0-acedf9c381c6.html