COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers are debating whether to give themselves and many other elected officials a bigger pay raise than they are set to receive. The proposal comes with less than two weeks to go in the current lame duck session of the Ohio General Assembly.
Right now, elected officials are scheduled to get a 1.75% per year raise through 2028. Republican State Representative Bill Seitz (R- Cincinnati) says the proposal would raise that to 5% each year for the next four years. For the following six years, the raise would equal the rate of inflation or 3%, whichever is lower.
"We've had four or five years of rampant inflation," Seitz said. "As anyone knows, prices are up between 20 and 30% over where they were pre-pandemic."
Seitz says the proposal would not only apply to legislators but also all countywide elected officials, township trustees, judges, legislators and statewide office holders.
According to the state, legislators currently make $71,099 per year. Those in legislative leadership positions earn more. The speaker of the house's annual salary is $119,827.
Gov. Mike DeWine earns $166,021. Ohio Supreme Court justices earn roughly $180,000.
"There's only one group that can vote the raise for the legislature and that's the legislature," Seitz said. "So, it can't be done any other way."
Citizens 10TV talked to are skeptical.
"I feel like they already make enough to be honest, and there's a lot of local residents who would love even to make just minimum wage," Jalyn Glassco of Columbus said.
"The people that deserve to get a pay raise are the people that keep this beautiful, hallowed hall clean," Mariana Hawkins of Allen County said.
Democratic strategist Morgan Harper would like to see lawmakers do more on issues including utility costs and housing supply.
"I just don't think that we're seeing a ton of strong output from that body of government, and it would be great to have a clearer idea of where we're headed to benefit Ohioans before we start spending more money on it," Harper said.
"When you look at our last budget, it was very, very strong," Seitz said. "Tax cuts, universal school choice, full funding for our public schools. There were some things to be very proud of."
Discussions on the pay raise are ongoing. A bill on the proposal has not yet been introduced.