Dear Constituent:

First, let me thank you for contacting me regarding the above reference
issue. You mentioned that you never dreamed I would vote for such a
measure. As you know, in 13 years I have never voted for a pay increase
for the legislature.

I also realize that I will never be able to convince you or others who
have written or called since the vote as to why I felt it was necessary,
but I will do my best to offer my explanation.

Legislative pay was set at $16,800.00 per year on May 1, 1980. If
legislators' salaries had been increased over that time to account for
increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the current salary would be
$43,834 and yes, to that there is an allowance for per diem, which
brings the average salary to approximately $23,000.00 (depending upon
the number of SPECIAL SESSIONS a Governor chooses to call).

A few years ago we established an Independent Commission to review the
compensation package of legislators. These citizen members recommended a
substantial increase after having spent more than a year reviewing and
comparing compensation packages around the region. Even with the
recommendation of the Commission, we still did not have the courage to
adjust the compensation due to the amount recommended (in large part due
to the passage of time since the last increase).

I do realize that people will say the following: "You knew what the job
paid when you ran . . . " . . . " It is a part time job . . . " . . .
"The legislature may be due a raise, but not one of such magnitude . . .
"

To that I can only offer my experience. Yes that is absolutely true, but
I can't imagine a person in any profession/job who makes the same salary
as he/she made 28 years ago. And it is not, contrary to popular belief a
part time job. As you know, this job follows legislators to grocery
stores, ball parks, weddings, church etc . . . And when we don't show up
for a meeting (Police Jury, Town Hall, Port Association, Ribbon Cutting,
etc . . . ) at 6:00 p.m. following session it is said that "I never see
my legislator."

The legislature is cursed with having to set its own salary. Nothing was
said over the years when we voted to raise, Sheriffs, Clerks of Court,
Assessors, Deputies, Statewide Officials, Public Service Commissioners,
etc . . . Most of whom make more than legislators who are charged with
the general operating budget of the State of Louisiana not at more than
$30 Billion Dollars.

The workload of the Louisiana Legislature has increased substantially
since the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In just the past
two and half years since the storms hit, the legislature has held 5
special sessions in addition to the work of the regular sessions each
year and the increased interim work necessitated by the recovery
efforts. The additional workload is expected
to continue. LEGISLATORS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CALLING OF SPECIAL
SESSIONS, nor were they anticipated when persons ran for office.


Comparisons with Other States
While critics of any pay increase for legislature's point to lower
salaries for legislators in our neighboring states, they are not
comparing apples-to-apples. For instance, Texas has a relatively low pay
rate for legislators. However those legislators get a sizeable office
allowance that is used to boost their actual pay and they only meet in
regular sessions every other year.

The Philosophy of Public Service & Public Policy
Those who argue that public service should be about serving the public
and not how much someone is paid to serve are not looking at the big
picture. The right to hold public office or seek such an office should
be available to anyone who feels they have talents to offer the public
regardless of their personal financial status.

An adequate salary for service in the legislature is necessary to make
sure that men and women from all economic and social situations have an
opportunity to serve. Such diversity is vital in shaping common sense
public policy that meets the needs of all citizens and builds a stronger
state.

Otherwise, small business people will forever be lost to the halls of
the Louisiana Legislature. Take for instance the small business plumber
who has 2 employees. Can he/she afford to take 3-4 months per year away
from their business, and should the public expect him/her to do so?
Consider the school teacher, an active teacher cannot participate in the
legislature due to the time required and the time of the year called for
by the constitution. Other small business owners simply cannot make the
commitment of service at $16,800 per year.

If we want the legislature to be only insurance agents, large business
owners, lawyers, doctors and the well to do, perhaps we should remove
any compensation from the books. Put to the voters I'm sure they would
vote for such a measure. I would prefer the legislature to represent a
cross section of Louisiana, representing every walk of life, every
creed, religion, color, socioeconomic background.

Finally, with the legislative pay tied to Congress this very divisive
issue will no longer overshadow the good work being done by this
governor and legislature.

By the way, I hope you saw (on the same day as the pay raise vote) that
we repealed the Stelly tax increases which will return $370 MILLION
DOLLARS to the taxpayers of the State of Louisiana.

With warmest thoughts,

Senator Mike Michot
District 23