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Senate Panel Approves Measure To Hike Legislator Salaries

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A legislative committee has approved a measure to increase lawmaker pay to $10,000 for each regular session as part of an effort to encourage more South Dakotans to run for office.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday voted 6-2 to approve the plan to boost the current $6,000 salary.

Republican Sen. Craig Tieszen says his proposal is designed to make it easier for South Dakota residents to make it to Pierre. He says there’s a slice of the population that doesn’t run for office because the pay is too low.

He says the proposal would go into effect in January 2017, after the next election.

The state House has passed several proposals to allow for increases in South Dakota lawmakers’ compensation, which is among the lowest in the nation.