Md. Lawmakers Weigh Pay Raises
Emboldened by a strong economy, local and state lawmakers in Maryland have been setting aside money for extra school funding and other popular programs. They also are laying the groundwork for a less popular cause: politicians' pay raises.</br></br>The pay increases are set to go into effect after the November elections, when political analysts expect large numbers of incumbents to be returned to office. In some cases, the salary bumps are scheduled to exceed the projected 2.3 percent annual rate of inflation.</br></br>In recent weeks, the Howard and Anne Arundel county councils have approved raises for top elected officials, of 10 to 20 percent over the next four years. Bills to raise commissioners' pay in three Southern Maryland counties by as much as 20 percent are pending in the General Assembly. The Montgomery County Council, which along with the Prince George's County Council receives annual cost-of-living raises even during recessions, is mulling whether to appoint a salary review commission to examine pay scales further.</br></br>At the state level, lawmakers in Annapolis will not have to vote on legislation that would push their salaries to more than $30,000 a year for the first time. The bill will pass automatically unless members vote to reject it, meaning there would be no record of a vote for raises that could be used against lawmakers in November.</br></br>Lawmakers offer a range of explanations for the increases. In several jurisdictions, some say, local elected officials are trying to compensate for the lack of any raise for almost eight years. Others point out that serving in a part-time legislature makes it difficult for many members to pursue private business interests that could supplement the salaries.