SPONSOR SURPRISED BY AMENDMENT 5

When Larry Thomason first heard of a concept being tried in other states to have a citizens' commission set salaries and benefits for some elected officials, he thought it was an idea people in Missouri might like.

He introduced the proposal in the 1994 session of the General Assembly, and after some modifications by colleagues, the legislature sent it to voters for consideration as a constitutional amendment.

On Tuesday, 57 percent of the state's voters agreed with the Kennett Democrat that it was a good idea.

Thomason admitted Thursday, though, he was somewhat surprised it passed and by its approval margin.

"I was probably as surprised as anyone in the state," he said. "I am pleased that it passed but didn't think it would."

With most of the attention of voters being focused on Amendments 6 and 7 that dealt with legalizing slot machines and Hancock II, other amendments were lost.

He felt voters would be familiar with Amendments 6 and 7, but when it came to the others they would likely vote no because they had not heard much about it.

"I was trying to do something I thought the voters wanted -- for us not to be able to raise our salaries," Thomason said. "It was something they wanted and nobody had to stump for it. My guess was apparently right, it was something they did want."

To get the plan through the legislature in one year, Thomason said he consulted with leaders in both houses and sought advice of both Democrats and Republicans to come up with an acceptable proposal.

As part of the refining process, the ability of the commission to make decisions on retirement benefits was taken out of the plan.

However, the commission can still make decisions on salaries, per diem expenses and mileage.

The commission will apply to state legislators, judges and statewide-elected officials.

All of those officials can still receive cost-of-living increases given to other state employees by the legislature, under the plan. The commission also has the authority to make reductions in salaries and benefits.

Originally, Thomason's proposal gave the pay commission the authority to set all salary increases. But it was amended to enable them to still receive cost-of-living hikes.

Thomason said several legislators felt that without the cost-of-living provision, that would give judges and legislators a reason to go to the commission and ask for pay raises because other state employees received one.

The commission will have 22 members, nine randomly chosen from voter registration lists in each congressional district, one retired judge, and 12 appointed by the governor. Appointments from the governor must be equally divided between the parties and include a cross section of the state.

Specially, the governor is required to appoint four people from 3rd Class counties, two from each side of the Missouri River; and individuals who represent senior citizens, farmers, labor, large and small businesses, and several other specific professions.

"My thought is, if you get a good cross section of people and sit them down in a room, they will do the right thing," Thomason said.

The first commission must be appointed by Feb. 1, 1996, and is required to hold at least four meetings and four hearings around the state for citizen input.

By Dec. 1, 1996, the commission must publish a pay schedule, which will take effect Jan. 1, 1997.