By Marshall Griffin, KWMU/Associated Press
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House has passed a resolution that would block pay raises for elected officials and most of the state's judges.
A special citizens' commission on salaries for judges and elected officials had recommended giving them the same raises that state workers get.
Virtually every Republican and most Democrats voted for the resolution, saying allowing politicians to get raises during economic hard times sends the wrong message.
State House Member Ed Wildberger (D, St. Joseph), however, voted no. He told fellow House members that not providing raises would discourage talented people from running for office.
"I can see a trend here, to eventually a person who really wants to be a legislator for all the right purposes will quit coming down (to Jefferson City) because they simply can't afford to...we're going to make this a rich man's game," Wildberger said.
The resolution was sponsored by House Member Mike McGhee (R, Odessa).
"We've got some problems...people not being able to pay for health care and different school issues...we've got senior problems...we've got problems all over the state of Missouri, and I can't see that I should get another, maybe, $1,500," McGhee said from the House floor.
The resolution needed 2/3rds of the House vote to pass, and it got more than enough, passing 129-31.
It now goes to the Missouri Senate, which has until Saturday (January 31st) to pass it. Otherwise, the pay increases take effect automatically.