Legislators' pay to increase by $1,700

NASHVILLE - The annual base salary of Tennessee state legislators will increase by $1,783 to $22,667 in November, the biggest boost since a law governing their pay was enacted 11 years ago.

Under the 2005 law, legislative pay is adjusted every two years to reflect the increase in state employee salaries during the period. State Comptroller Justin Wilson is tasked with making the official calculation and advised Connie Ridley, director of the Office of Legislative Administration, of the new figure last week.

The current annual base salary of most legislators is $20,884 and the 8.7 percent increase will take effect on Election Day, Nov. 8. The speakers of the House and Senate get three times the salary of other legislators, meaning their base pay will increase from $62,532 annually to $68,001.

Legislators also get a “per diem” daily expense allowance while engaged in lawmaking activities that was increased from $204 to $220 effective Oct. 1 for lawmakers living more than 50 miles from the state Capitol, where legislative sessions are held. For those living within 50 miles, the per diem rate remains unchanged at $59 per day - a figure that reflects the estimated cost of meals for a day’s stay in Nashville.

Read more: http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/politics/2016/10/14/legislators-pay-increase-1700/92050206/