Ohio lawmakers' pay 6th in nation

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COLUMBUS — Ohio lawmakers each earn at least $60,584 a year for their legislative jobs — a base pay that ranks sixth in the nation among the 36 states that pay a straight salary, according to data from the Council of State Governments.

Legislators in the state are also given stipends of $5,000 to $10,000 for committee assignments and leadership jobs. The House speaker and Senate president each make $94,437 a year.

Some Senate Republicans are now pushing to give a 5-percent pay cut to all future lawmakers as a symbolic gesture that they are willing to take on some of the budget pain that many Ohioans have felt. Because the state constitution prohibits current lawmakers from changing their own pay the change would take effect beginning in 2013 and immediately for anyone appointed to a vacancy this term.

The pay cut movement has stalled in previous General Assemblies and faces opposition, so it may or may not make it to the final version of this budget bill. A balanced budget must be adopted by June 30.

In a state where the median household income is $45,467, the idea of $60,584 a year for part-time work sounds pretty good to many local residents. Lawmakers get other perks too: mileage reimbursements, health, dental, optical and life insurance coverage, a state pension and most get a tax deduction for other expenses they incur.

“I’d say it’s out of line — they’re being paid too much for part-time work,” observed Brenda Hinkle of Harrison Twp. “A 5-percent pay cut doesn’t sound like enough at a time when some of our teachers and public service workers — the people who protect us and teach our children — are losing their jobs.”

But state Sen. Shirley Smith, D-Cleveland, who opposes the pay cut, said they are not reimbursed for meals or lodging while in Columbus and are often away from home. Their last pay raise came in 2008.

State Sen. Michael Skindell, D-Lakewood, argued that it would be “inequitable” for newly appointed members to be paid less than current lawmakers. “It creates an injustice for those folks who are appointed.”

Randy Walden of New Lebanon, a truck driver and union member with Teamsters Local 957, said he’s uncomfortable with a two-tiered pay system even though he believes Ohio legislators are paid too much. “Look what happened with the automotive industry when they did that,” he said. “I just don’t think that’s right.”

In fiscal year 2010, salaries and benefits cost $3.26 million for the 33 senators and $8.92 million for the 99 representatives.

Lawmakers’ hours vary depending on the time of year, committee assignments, constituent meetings, and voting sessions but there are often extended summer and holiday breaks and long weekends. Many legislators also work other jobs.

During the last two-year legislative session, the House members met 50 days while the Senate met 57 days in voting sessions.

“I’d love to get that kind of salary for part-time work,” said Wanda Works of Dayton. “I’d love to get that for full-time work. I think they’re out of touch.”

According to the Council of State Governments, Ohio legislator base pay is in line with what lawmakers in other populous states make including $95,291 in California, $79,650 in Michigan, $79,500 in New York, $78,315 in Pennsylvania and $67,836 in Illinois.

Some states pay per diems to lawmakers for each day they are in session, but the average base salary among the 36 states that pay straight salaries is $35,076, according to data from the Council of State Governments.

Cathleen Paris of Englewood said she has conflicted feelings about the proposed pay reduction. “I don’t think anybody can afford to take a pay cut right now,” she said. “Yet I think teachers are grossly underpaid for what they do, and they’re being asked to take the hit.”

Jan Booghier of Springfield said that a 10-percent pay cut would be a more powerful symbolic gesture. “I think they should take the cuts themselves,” she said, “before they pass them along to all of us.”

Contact Laura Bischoff at (614) 224-1624 or lbischoff@DaytonDailyNews.com or Mary McCarty at 937-225-2209 or mmccarty@coxohio.com.