Fun with numbers -- Proposed state pay increases

The governor's state salary bill is out, including some proposed raises for elected officials.

The Gazette's Rod Boshart sent us the numbers:

Proposed state salaries

Office

Current salary

New salary effective Dec. 19, 2014

Governor

130,000

141,710

Lt. Governor

103,212

112,510

Sec. of Agriculture

103,212

112, 510

Sec. of State

103,212

112,510

State Treasurer

103,212

112,510

State Auditor

103,212

112,510

Attorney General

123,669

134,800

House Speaker

37,500

40,875

Senate President

37,500

40,875

Majority Leaders

37,500

40,875

Rank and File Lawmakers

25,000

27,250

Supco Chief Justice

170,850

186,220

Other justices

163,200

177,880

Chief District Judge

142,800

155,650

District judges

137,000

150,090

These don't seem like freak-out level raises, in my view. Although it sounds like legislative leaders in both parties are cool to the idea of passing them. Iowa Democrats are making some hay out of the governor's raise. But Branstad's office deftly volleys that shot by pointing out that these raises wouldn't take affect until after the 2014 election. Are Democrats suggesting that Terry's sixth term is a given? Surely not.

Some background from The Gazette's Statehouse bureau (Sorry, don't have a link yet):

Salaries for Iowa legislators and top statewide elected officials were last raised in 2005. At that time, the 17.3 percent increased vaulted Iowa's gubernatorial salary to 16th highest nationwide, but the $130,000 yearly pay has since slipped into a tie for 26th place nationally with Louisiana.

Annual salaries paid to U.S. governors range from $179,000 in New York to $70,000 in Maine, according to the latest data compiled by the Council on State Governments. Some governors' salaries include travel allowances, official residences, chauffeured automobiles and access to airplanes, helicopters or other perks.

Iowa's part-time legislators currently are paid $25,000 a year, with top leaders getting $37,000 in the House and Senate, and pro temp leaders in each chamber paid $27,000. Lawmakers also receive $135 a day ($101.25 in Polk County) in expense money when the General Assembly is in regular session (110 days first year, 100 days second year) along with mileage, IPERS retirement, other benefits, and access to state health insurance at no premium cost if they so choose.

Of course, you say the words "pay raise" to my ears, and thoughts drift immediately to Linn County. where, earlier this year, the supervisors voted to boost their pay by more than 25 percent. And unlike the state's salary boost, supervisor raises take effect July 1. No pesky election required.

For fun, and for comparison, here are those FY 2014 county salaries, once again, with feeling.

Linn County Elected Officials Salaries for FY14

Board of Supervisors $95,760

Auditor $95,760

Recorder $95,760

Treasurer $95,760

Sheriff $125,478

Attorney $152,298

So as of July 1, being an elected official here is a pretty good gig, even compared to statewide electeds. Interesting.

But if they really want big bucks, they need to figure out how to get a team to a good bowl game.