Arizona Proposition 300 (2008)

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Arizona Proposition 300, also known as the Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers, appeared on the November 4, 2008 ballot in Arizona. The proposition would increase the salary of legislators from $24,000 to $30,000 per year.

2008 election results

Arizona Proposition 300 Amendment
Yes or no Votes Percentage
Yes 632,516 35.5%
No 1,151,441 64.5%
Total votes 1,783,957 100% precincts

Results according to the Arizona Secretary of State.[1] Results are unofficial pending an official canvass on December 1, 2008.

The proposition appeared on the ballot courtesy of a commission referral process.

The governor opposed the proposition, citing the current state budget shortfall and that many Arizonans are not receiving a pay raise.[2]

A Taxpayer's Perspective from the National Taxpayers Union

Proposition 300 would increase the salary of legislators from $24,000 a year to $30,000 annually.[3]

Supporters

The Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers and the Arizona Advocacy Network are two groups that supported the measure.

In The Arizona Advocacy Network's statement, they encourage "passage of this modest pay raise for Arizona's legislators. Even if you have issues with how legislators have done their jobs, they are seriously underpaid and deserve a raise. Their compensation of only $24,000 per year has not been raised for many years and must be improved to attract the best and brightest to legislative service."[4]

Opposition

Powell Gammill, an Arizona candidate for U.S. Representative, opposed Proposition 300. Powell said:

"The role of the legislature is quite simple: Pass an annual budget and go home. It is a part time legislature that is supposed to meet less than 100 days a year. Being elected is a civic minded contribution, not a career. The one thing legislators cannot seem to do in a timely manner is pass a budget. I certainly would not pay legislators more for a job they currently cannot seem to do as more of your tax money would simply encourage prolonging the budget process further.[4]

External links

References

  1. Arizona Elections Division, 2008 Election Results
  2. Governor Against Pay Raises For State Lawmakers, KOLD News
  3. National Taxpayers Union, "General Election Ballot Guide 2008, The Taxpayer's Perspective"
  4. 4.0 4.1 Ballot proposition guide for Prop. 300

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