Editorial: "Compensation Amendment" - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: "Compensation Amendment"

Posted: Updated:
By Collin R. Gaston - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:20:03 GMT
    The U. S. Supreme Court is expected to rule as soon as Thursday on a suit filed by Shelby County to strike down Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Section 5 requires that the Justice Department pre-approve
    The U. S. Supreme Court is expected to rule as soon as Thursday on a suit filed by Shelby County to strike down Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

  • Thursday, June 13 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-13 23:20:09 GMT
    Summertime is sun, fun, beaches, mountains, swimming pools, golf courses and yes for those in school, a break. But it can also be a special time to create lasting memories for families with children around
    Summertime is sun, fun, beaches, mountains, swimming pools, golf courses and yes for those in school, a break. But it can also be a special time to create lasting memories for families with children around

  • Tuesday, June 11 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-11 23:20:09 GMT
    The recent Map the Meal Gap report issued by Feeding America highlighted what we at the Montgomery Area Food Bank have been witnessing over the past several years- more families than ever are in need of
    The recent Map the Meal Gap report issued by Feeding America highlighted what we at the Montgomery Area Food Bank have been witnessing over the past several years- more families than ever are in need of
    •   
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

This November we Alabamians will be casting votes on 10 amendments in addition to the state and federal races on the ballot. One amendment sure to get a lot of attention focuses on legislative pay and expenses.  It reads as follows:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to repeal the existing provisions for legislative compensation and expenses and establish the basic compensation of the Legislature at the median household income in Alabama; to require legislators to submit signed vouchers for reimbursement for expenses; and to prohibit the Legislature from increasing the compensation or expenses payable to its members.

The median household income in Alabama according to the U.S. Census is $42,000; according to the legislative fiscal office the current average pay for Alabama House and Senate members is $53,000 thus concluding if this amendment passes our legislators will see a decrease in their compensation. 

Is this wrong? We don't think so. Why shouldn't our representative's compensation be directly tied to the compensation of the people they were voted in to serve?  More jobs, better pay for Alabamians - House and Senate members pay goes up.  Fewer jobs, less pay – legislators pay goes down.  This way we are all in the same boat and will either enjoy more income together or make do with less and feel the same pain.

Copyright 2012  WSFA 12 News.  All rights reserved.