544,969 / 56.4% Yes votes ...... 421,627 / 43.6% No votes

See Also: Measures

Explanation: Currently, the Commission on Salaries for Elected State Officers recommends legislature salary increases for voter approval. It has studied the need for salary increases considering such things as keeping up with the cost of living and competitiveness with other salaries to attract responsible and qualified candidates.

Ballot Measure 302 is the Commission's recommendation that legislative salaries be increased from $15,000 to $24,000.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote shall have the effect of raising State Legislators annual salaries to $24,000, and as further compensation, per diem reimbursement commensurate with and as provided by law for non-elective Arizona state employees.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote shall have the effect of maintaining State Legislators annual salaries at $15,000, with the current legislative per diem rate.

Summary of Arguments FOR Proposition 302:

1. It is past time for some increase in salary for legislators. Salaries of state legislators have not been raised since 1980. Cost of living increases since that time would dictate a $29,521 salary by this time, an even higher one than that recommended.

2. The state would expend more on salaries, but per diem reimbursements will be reduced under the Commission's recommendation.

3. The low salaries of Arizona legislators may be influencing the choice not to run for legislative office this year-- fewer candidates are running. $15,000 is low even for a half-time salary. Special sessions and interim committee work require legislators to spend much more than 1/2 time on these jobs.

Summary of Arguments AGAINST Proposition 302:

1. Despite savings in per diem reimbursements, this salary increase will increase state costs by more than a half million dollars annually.

2. The current amount of $15,000 a year is adequate because the job is not supposed to be full-time.

3. A `no' vote sends a message that our legislators need to do better.

Arizonas legislators deserve a pay increase. Their pay has not been raised since 1981, when it was increased from $6,000 to $15,000 per year. Arizonas ninety legislators are responsible for establishing a multi-billion dollar budget, passing the criminal laws of this state, and enacting legislation which affects the lives of all Arizonans. It is much more than a part-time job for legislators who fulfill their responsibilities.

Many Arizonans are unable to run for the Legislature because of the long hours and low pay. Voting "Yes" on Proposition 302 will increase the number of legislative candidates the voters will have to choose from in future elections.

The Arizona Judges Association urges you to vote "Yes" on Proposition 302 to increase legislators salaries.

Matthew W. Borowiec	Christopher M. Skelly
Superior Court Judge	Superior Court Judge
President	Immediate Past President
Arizona Judges Association	Arizona Judges Association
Phoenix	Phoenix

Many Arizona legislators clearly dont deserve a raise. Their inability to resolve issues such as school financing, cockfighting, and the brown cloud over Phoenix, to name just a few, will probably mean theyll lose this vote for a fair wage. Their failures, I assert, are precisely the reason we should give the Arizona Legislature a raise.

There are many good people down there, but they cant get the job done because of the do-nothings and the know-nothings. We must attact more intelligent, decent people and, to do that, we must offer more than the starvation wage of $15,000. Its naive to think we can find ninety talented and honest people who will put their careers on hold and risk their familys financial future.

For Arizonas sake, vote YES on Prop. 302

Janet N. Forrer, DVM
Tucson

In Arizona we have a Citizens Legislature. In order to allow every citizen the opportunity to serve as a representative of their neighbors at the State Legislature we pay a salary so that the hardship of spending a substantial part of their year at the Capitol does not discourage or prevent good candidates from participating.

Currently, members of the Citizens Legislature receive only $15,000 per year. This amount has not been raised in 18 years. It is also difficult for legislators to obtain employment for the months they are not in session due to possible conflicts of interest.

The legislature in Arizona does not approve raises for itself, instead recommendations are made by a non-partisan panel, that had no lobbyists on it, called the Commission of Salaries for Elective State Offices. After public hearings and serious study, the Commission unamiously approved an annual legislative salary of $24,000 a year for
1999. This would allow continued participation in the legislative process by good candidates.

If you want a better legislature, remember the adage - "You get what you pay for!" Join me in voting to keep legislative salaries at a level which allows your neighbors the opportunity to represent you without financial hardship. Lets support better government and a brighther outlook for Arizonas future and vote for a fair, modest and long overdue increase.

Charlie Stevens
Phoenix

(No arguments against Proposition 302 were submitted)