Under Oregon’s Measure 116, independent commission would set elected officials’ pay

By Eric Tegethoff, Oregon News Service

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Supporters of an Oregon ballot measure this fall that would establish an independent commission for setting the pay of elected officials have launched their campaign.

If passed in November, Measure 116 would set up the Independent Public Service Compensation Commission - to decide salaries for elected officials including the governor, state lawmakers, judges and district attorneys.

Robin Ye is the political and strategy director for the organization East County Rising, which is supporting the measure.

"It's about fairness and accountability and transparency in our government, which I think will add faith to our government," said Ye. "It's a common sense solution to give power back to Oregonians and to protect our democracy."

Twenty-two states have independent compensation commissions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

If it's approved, the commission would set pay rates every two years. Officers or employees of the state and registered lobbyists cannot be part of the commission.

The campaign supporting Measure 116 includes an a wide array of organizations, including the Latino Network Action Fund, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, and Oregon Nurses Association.

The measure was referred to the ballot by the Legislature in 2023, and Ye said it has broad support.

"A majority of Oregonians and an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of legislators understand that the current system doesn't make sense, and it isn't fair, and it is a problem," said Ye. "And it's up to Oregonians to decide what's the right fit for Oregon."

Oregon established an independent pay commission in 1983, but it went defunct in 2000. The commission was reestablished in 2007, saw its funding cut in 2008, and was eliminated again in 2017.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.