No change to lawmaker salaries, Measure 116 struck down by voters

Published 8:15 pm Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Oregon voters on Tuesday appear to have denied passage of Measure 116, a constitutional amendment which would have created an independent commission to set the salaries of state officials and elected leaders.

According to early election results released Tuesday, Nov. 5, the “No” campaign leads with 53.2% of the vote. The “Yes” campaign had 46.7%.

The newly established commission would have had authority over salary decisions for a range of public officials, including the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, Bureau of Labor and Industries commissioner, state judges, district attorneys, and members of the Oregon State Legislature.

Previously, those salaries were set by state lawmakers themselves, but proponents of the measure, including Chief Justice Meagan Flynn, argued the amendment was necessary to help Oregon retain qualified public servants by setting competitive salaries free from political influence.

Opponents contended the commission would be unaccountable to Oregonians, as its decisions on pay are not subject to legislative or gubernatorial review. Opponents of the measure also worried about who would sit on the commission, noting that under Measure 116, it would be up to the Legislature to appoint members, which could encourage cronyism and limit how independently the commission was able to operate.

Despite the current system, Oregon remains middle of the pack among states for its legislative salaries, and low among states for the salaries of governors.

Legislators make $35,000 a year and their duties are considered part-time work, although lawmakers have argued that it’s a 24/7 commitment, with constituent meetings, special sessions and other work occurring in between the formal sessions of the Legislature.