Knopp, Buehler decline legislative pay raise
State Sen. Tim Knopp and state Rep. Knute Buehler, both R-Bend, announced Saturday they are declining Gov. Kate Brown’s unilaterally directed 2.75 percent legislative salary increase.
“Establishment politicians have said Oregon has a budget crisis. If that’s true, then the governor and legislators need to lead by example and not add to the problem,” Knopp said. “We should not be receiving pay increases when important programs are being cut or going unfunded.”
“Even though Gov. Brown wants billions in new taxes and has proposed cuts to veterans’ services, closing a new hospital for the mentally ill and is under-funding our schools, she still believes the Legislature deserves a pay raise,” Buehler said.
Knopp and Buehler said they will be introducing a measure in the 2017 session to rescind the pay raises.
While the law currently does not allow legislators a choice in accepting the pay increase, the Bend lawmakers said they will be donating their raises to charities in Central Oregon, starting with the public school education foundations in their districts.
“We believe it’s important to bring the pay hikes to the public’s attention, so they can weigh in on the matter,” Knopp added.
Oregon lawmakers are part-time citizen legislators, and as of 2016 were paid $23,568 a year and a $140-a-day expense allowance when the Legislature is in session.
Between-session expense allowances, called per diem, cover lodging, food and travel when they attend committee meetings in Salem, from $450 to $750 a month, depending on the size of their district. They also qualify for state health insurance and pensions, but must contribute to them. Lawmakers also receive funds for office staff, supplies and services.
