Senators Bishop, Cropsey, Van Woerkom and Pappageorge offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22.
A concurrent resolution to request the State Officers Compensation Commission to recommend a 5 percent reduction in salaries of the members of the Legislature, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the Justices of the Supreme Court the next time the commission meets.
Whereas, Our state's continuing economic struggles emphasize the need to make sacrifices for our future economic and fiscal health. All avenues to encourage that fiscal policies and decisions reflect this need for prudence must be pursued; and
Whereas, Article IV, Section 12 of the State Constitution of 1963 provides for the State Officers Compensation Commission. This commission determines the salaries and expense allowances of members of the Legislature, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the Justices of the Supreme Court. Pursuant to state statutes amended to conform to 2002 changes in the constitutional provisions regarding the commission, the State Officers Compensation Commission will next meet in 2009; and
Whereas, It is important for all possible mechanisms to be put in place to avoid unnecessary spending. Reducing the salaries of the state's highest elected officers and restraining spending increases can help safeguard the public's interests at an important time in our state's history; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we request the State Officers Compensation Commission to recommend a 5 percent reduction in salaries of the members of the Legislature, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the Justices of the Supreme Court the next time the commission meets; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the State Officers Compensation Commission.