ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE
Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers
Minutes of the Meeting
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
9:30 a.m., House Hearing Room 4
Members Present:
|
Sal Rivera, Chair |
C. Webb Crockett |
|
Betsy Bolding |
Randie Stein |
Members Absent:
|
Lonnie J. Williams Jr. |
|
Staff:
Carolyn Atwater, Senate Appropriations Analyst
Chairman Rivera called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m. and the attendance was noted.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING JUDGES AND ELECTED OFFICERS
Mr. Rivera stated the Commission had the opportunity to consider the various issues raised regarding the Commission’s involvement in setting recommendations for salaries and setting actual recommended numbers for elected officials and judges.
Mr. Rivera added there were a few questions raised at the end of the last Commission meeting regarding what salaries would look like based on the 2004 recommendations and that information has been provided to the Commission members.
Mr. Crockett said the Commission was somewhat disposed to grant the 6% increase for the Judges and wanted to know the results of the 6% increase across the board for other state officers. That information has been provided for the Commission members by Staff.
Mr. Rivera asked the members if their recommendations have changed based on the information Staff has provided. None of the members changed their recommendations based on the information.
Mr. Rivera added that recommendations, with the exception of Judges and Corporation Commissioners, would not take effect until January 2007. Mr. Rivera continued if the recommendation is made to keep the Governor’s salary consistent with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court it would not take effect until 2011, and the recommendation for the Chief Justice would not take effect until January 2009.
Ms. Stein stated Mr. Rivera had brought up an interesting point. She has no concerns with a small discrepancy in the salaries for a couple of years, assuming the recommendation is implemented as submitted by the Commission.
Mr. Crockett moved to approve the 6% salary increase for elective officers as set forth in a memorandum provided by Joanne Brooks dated August 21, 2006.
Mr. Crockett stated he believes this is a modest increase in view of the fact that it will take effect over time.
Ms. Bolding seconded Mr. Crockett’s motion.
Mr. Crockett’s motion CARRIED by voice vote.
Mr. Rivera stated he will prepare the initial report of the Commission’s recommendations and provide it to staff via e-mail, and the Commission will meet again to approve the report and work through any possible issues.
Mr. Rivera asked the Commission members to pay close attention to inconsistencies or tension between the statute and the Commission’s charge, to the extent that the statute needs to be augmented as they work through the issues related to possible recommended changes.
Ms. Stein asked when the final meeting will take place.
Mr. Rivera said the meeting should take place within 30 days.
Ms. Stein volunteered to bring a draft of the statute with the proposed changes.
Ms. Bolding said it should be stressed in the report the importance of the Governor acting on the Commission’s recommendations and showing the effect on the budget if the recommendations are not followed. Ms. Bolding added the report also needs to make clear that the Governor must act on the recommendations within a certain period of time in order for them to take effect.
Mr. Rivera reiterated that another meeting will be scheduled and the Commission’s work should be completed within 30 days.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Ritz
Committee Secretary
(Audio recordings and attachments on file in the Secretary of Senate’s Office/Resource Center, Room 115. Audio archives are available at http://www.azsenate.gov).
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Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers
September 13, 2006
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