Our View

Our View

Quite a curious commission

State politicians can thank this voter-approved citizens commission for, once again, reaffirming the perks and benefits of serving us in Little Rock.

That’s right, just a couple of years ago this commission that sets salaries for state elected officials, once again recommended the continuation of comfortable per diem and mileage rates.

So then, state politicians, such as those who serve us in Crittenden County, who live more than 50 miles from the state Capitol will continue to be paid a per diem of $153 per day for attending meetings in Little Rock, while those politicians living within 50 miles of the Capitol will get a per diem of $59 per day.

Now, bear in mind that this financial perk is in addition to the 54 cents per mile driven between their home and Little Rock.

For those individuals who may have not know or forgot how this commission came about let us point out that this so-called Independent Citizens Commission was created by Amendment 94 to the Arkansas Constitution. Back in March of last year this commission boosted the salaries of representatives and senators from $15,869 a year to $39,500, and those for the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore from $17,771 a year to $45,000.

This recent commission action was simply procedural and a requirement that was needed prior to the Jan. 9 start of the regular legislative session.

We’re told this commission will meet again in June for the sole purpose of granting cost-of-living raises for these politicians next year. So, where does this commission get all of its authority? This authority is based on what we approved as voters in November 2014. Besides doling out impressive raises to these politicians they also increased the number of years these politicians can serve in the House, Senate or in both chambers.

The commission’s powers also include telling these elected politicians they can’t accept certain gifts (bribes), such as meals in one-on-one meetings with lobbyists or special interest groups. These politicians were also told they can’t take director corporation and union contributions for special consideration.

So then, just who are these powerful members of this voter-approved commission? Leading the pack is Commission Chairman Larry Ross of Sherwood and then there are Commissioners Barbara Graves of Little Rock, Chuck Banks of Little Rock, Mitch Berry of Little Rock, Stuart Hill of Search, Brenda James of Little Rock and, last but not lease, Stephen Tipton of Cabot.

Now then, who appointed these people? Well, in December 2014, Ross and Graves were picked out by then-Gov. Mike Beebe and Banks was appointed by then-Chief Justice Jim Hannah. Then-House Speaker Davy Carter, R-Cabot, appointed Berry and Tipton, while Senate President Pro-Tempore Jonathan Dismang, R-Search, picked out James and Hill.

Without being entirely too cynical, does anyone actually believe these politicians would pick out members of this commission who wouldn’t take care of them when it comes to financial compensation and executive perks? We’re pretty sure they wouldn’t pick people who oppose “career” politicians and lucrative political salaries.