THOMASON'S PAY COMMISSION BILL MOVING THROUGH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JEFFERSON CITY -- Legislation that would give voters an opportunity to decide whether a 22-member citizen commission should set salaries and benefits for legislators, judges and statewide elected officials is moving through the General Assembly.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, already has been approved by the House and likely will be sent to the Senate floor for consideration by the Pensions and General Laws Committee.

"I expect it to be voted out next week," said Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, a member of the committee. "I had thought earlier about putting a bill like this in. I think it's a good idea."

Thomason presented the bill to the Senate committee this week, and said he was pleased with the reaction.

"I think we had an excellent hearing, and hopefully senators will be receptive," said Thomason. "We made a lot of refinements in the House, and I think it is a solid piece of legislation."

If approved by the legislature, the plan will need voter approval in November to take effect. It would apply to salaries and benefits for officials elected in 1996 and taking office in 1997. The commission would hold its first meeting in early 1996, if it is approved.

Members of the commission include nine citizens randomly chosen from each congressional district, one judge named by the Supreme Court, and the others named by the governor to represent specific areas of expertise.

Staples believes the pay commission is a good idea because he thinks it will prevent legislators whose tenure is shortened by term limits from passing large pay and benefit increases for lawmakers, knowing they won't have to face voters again.

Voters approved term limits in 1992, which limits representatives to four two-year terms and senators to two four-year terms.

"I think term limits is going to be very detrimental to the public as well as the General Assembly," said Staples. "If you have a year when half of the Missouri General Assembly cannot run again, but statutes allow them to set salaries, the pay could go through the roof.

"I think the commission is a fair way to do it."

The third term senator said his annual salary as a legislator is nearly $23,000, and his monthly take home from the job is $1,335.13.

"I'm not unhappy with that, and I'm not going to say I should earn more than that," Staples said. "But when term limitations are kicked in and you have half of the 197 people in the House and Senate not going to run anymore and don't have to answer to the voters, I can see tremendous salary increases being a real danger.

"This 22 member commission could certainly put a curb on that."