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Lawmakers To Consider Plans To Hike Legislator Compensation

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A legislative committee is expected to consider several proposals to hike lawmakers’ compensation.

The House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday is expected to take up proposals to remove a $6,000 cap on legislator pay and allow lawmakers to be eligible for the same pay increases that state workers get when the Legislature passes across-the-board raises for public employees.

Republican Rep. Jim Bolin of Canton has said the measures would help attract candidates to run for office. He says part of the difficulty now is that the pay is so low.

House Majority Leader Brian Gosch is sponsoring a proposal scheduled to be heard that day to allow lawmakers to collect salary or per diem for attending the inauguration of constitutional officers and the governor’s budget address.