Statewide elected officials could see a pay raise with HB 21

New Ways and Means Chairman Trey Lamar (R-HD 8) thinks it’s time to consider a pay raise for Mississippi’s statewide and regional elected officials, this according to a bill filed Friday in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Lamar filed House Bill 21 calling for the increase of salaries from the Governor to Transportation Commissioners.  The increases range from $27,000 to just shy of $73,000.

The current salaries of the officials under consideration are as follows:

Governor – $122,160
Lt. Governor – $60,000
Speaker – $60,000
Attorney General – $108,960
Secretary of State – $90,000
Auditor – $90,000
Insurance Commissioner – $90,000
Treasurer – $90,000
Agriculture Commissioner – $90,000
Transportation Commissioners (3) – $78,000
Public Service Commissioners (3) – $78,000

If passed, the pay raises would take effect January 1, 2024, in time for the next term to begin following the 2023 statewide elections.

The new rate of pay for these positions would be:

Governor – $195,000
Lt. Governor – $90,000
Speaker – $90,000
Attorney General – $175,000
Secretary of State – $125,000
Auditor – $125,000
Insurance Commissioner – $125,000
Treasurer – $125,000
Agriculture Commissioner – $125,000
Transportation Commissioners (3) – $105,000
Public Service Commissioners (3) – $105,000

According The Council of State Governments September 2019 report, annual salaries for Governors vary greatly across the county, ranging from as low as $70,000 to as high as over $200,000.

Surprisingly, Lieutenant Governor salaries have an even greater disparity nationally, with Texas at $9,600 and Pennsylvania over $163,000.

HB 21 has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee.