Salaries of officeholders in the executive branch

A proposal filed last week by Rep. Michael Lamoureux (R-Russellville) asks for a study of the desirability of amending Amendment 70 of the Arkansas Constitution to allow salaries of the Governor, Lt. Governor, and other officers of the Executive Branch to be set by the General Assembly. Executive salaries are now specified in the Constitution (Amendment 70, § 1).

Amendment 70 authorizes annual cost-of-living adjustments through the appropriation process, but limits any increase to the rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers. Any other change requires amending the constitution.

The proposal, ISP 223, will go to the Interim Committees on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs for consideration. Those committees can recommend a salary increase amendment for referral to the voters for approval, in addition to the three amendments allowed during each General Assembly in Article 19, § 22. Thanks to the Arkansas Legislative Digest for the tip.