SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1992-8717

By Senator Thorsness

     WHEREAS, The independent salary commission created by Article XXVIII of the Washington State Constitution fixed the salaries for legislators effective September 3, 1990, at $19,900, increased that salary to $23,200 effective September 3, 1991, and again increased that salary to $25,900 effective September 3, 1992; and

     WHEREAS, The salary schedule set by the independent salary commission has increased the salaries of senators by over 23 percent in two years; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Washington is facing a projected shortfall of revenue for 1992 of 900 million dollars, which shortfall must be eliminated by reducing government expenditures in every area; and

     WHEREAS, The salary increases budgeted in 1991 of 3.6 percent for state employees and teachers are in jeopardy of being cut due to the need to reduce expenditures in the budget; and

     WHEREAS, The Senate desires to protest the salary increases given to state lawmakers;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate strongly objects to the salary increases granted by the independent salary commission in light of the proposal to eliminate the salary increases budgeted for state employees and teachers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That should the legislature reduce or eliminate the salary increases of state employees or teachers, each member of the Senate shall return to the state the amount of his or her 1992 salary increase, less any amount due for federal income taxes on the amount of the increase.