Kentucky lawmakers have taken final action on the legislative branch budget which includes a pay raise provision for legislators. The measure sets out senators and representatives get the same eight percent pay hike as state employees. Governor Beshear had vetoed that language.
Lawrenceburg GOP Senator Adrienne Southworth voted not to override, saying it sends the wrong message to low-income taxpayers.
“They’re suffering and we’re all up here not in the bottom rung of the ladder and getting a raise. It just doesn’t seem right to me and that’s why I oppose it,” said Southworth.
Senate President Robert Stivers said some voters could have a say about who gets the eight percent pay hike. “There will not be a single person in this body that will get a raise period. Not till they go through an election,” said Stivers.
The senate leader also spoke about previous Democratic officeholders with larger pay and compensation amounts. Stivers said including lawmakers with state workers receiving an eight percent pay raise doesn’t carry a negative impact on pension liability.
Senate Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey cast a no vote to override the governor’s veto. The Louisville Democrat said the general assembly shouldn’t be giving legislators raises when not every state employee is getting a pay hike.
