As state lawmakers look for ways to trim 14 percent from state agencies in the FY 21 budget, state Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) says he will introduce a bill that would cut legislator pay by the same amount. Gov. Brian Kemp is asking for agencies to prepare the 14 percent cut because of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Georgia.
“As the economic picture of our state continues to become clearer, the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt state-wide,” said Mullis. “The Georgia State Budget will be compromised due to the most recent economic status of our state. With the budget process in front of us, many tough decisions will have to be made.”
State lawmakers are expected to return to the Capitol in mid-June and their first priority will be coming up with a state budget for FY 21 which begins July 1. In early May, the Governor announced that all state agencies could expect a $3.5 billion cut or 14 percent. Many believe that large of a cut will result in more than a thousand employees being laid off and thousands more being forced to take unpaid days off and furloughs.
“The legislature is not immune to economic setbacks,” said Mullis. “Being entrusted as a subcommittee Chair on Senate Appropriations, I am taking the lead and my colleagues and I will develop a plan to reduce our budget, while still maintaining efficiency and responsiveness to constituents’ concerns.”
A bi-partisan bill was introduced in 2019 (Senate Bill 81) that would have allowed lawmakers to look at increasing their own pay. Mullis was one of the co-sponsors of that bill. But he now says that the bill will not be brought up for discussion.
“Alabama had recently increased theirs to more than $40,000 while Georgia’s remains $17,350 per year,” said Mullis. “While a commission had been created, it has been determined that the Georgia Legislature has the lowest per capita compensation in the nation. Again, that was last year, and I have made assurances that the bill is no longer up for discussion. Now, it is time to prioritize Georgia’s budget.”
Senate Bill 81 could have increased state legislators pay from just over $17,000 to more than $56,000. Lawmakers in Georgia make $17,350 a year, one of the lowest per capita in the country. Each state determines what their lawmakers receive as salary.
