Frequently Asked Questions

How, When, and Why was the Commission Established?

We were created by the 78th amendment to the Constitution which was approved by the voters on November 4, 1986 to remove politics from the salary setting process.

What does the Commission Do?

Sets the salaries of the state’s elected officials. Included are:

• Executive Branch – Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Insurance Commissioner.
• Legislative Branch – Members of the Legislature.
• Judicial Branch – Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals, Superior Court, and District Court.

What is the Salary of the Elected Officials?

Position	Current Salary 9/1/08 to 9/1/2010
Executive Branch
Governor	166,891
Lieutenant Governor	93,948
Secretary of State	116,950
Treasurer	116,950
Auditor	116,950
Attorney General	151,718
Insurance Commissioner	116,950
Superintendent of Public Instruction	121,618
Commissioner of Public Lands	121,618
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court Justices	164,221
Court of Appeals Judges	156,328
Superior Court Judges	148,832
District Court Judges	141,710
Legislative Branch
Legislators	42,106
Speaker of the House	50,106
Senate Majority Leader	50,106
House Minority Leader	46,106
Senate Minority Leader	46,106

How and When Does the Salary Setting Process Happen?

We conduct our salary setting work every other year in the odd-numbered year from January through May.

We will begin the next salary setting process at a public meeting in Olympia early in 2011.  At that meeting and as we are required to do, we will adopt a salary proposal for 2011 and 2012 that will be on the table for pubic review and comment.  Two public meetings on the proposal will be held to obtain public comment and input.  At the last public meeting, a final 2011-12 salary schedule will be adopted.  Our meeting schedule for 2011 will be posted on www.salaries.wa.gov in November 2010. (As part of the Legislature’s cost savings measures, two of our regular public meetings were eliminated in the 2011 salary setting session.)

How Can People Get Involved?

People can be involved in the process by:

• Attending one of the public meetings and making their views known;
• Sending a letter, email, or fax; or
• Calling our toll-free number.

 Please see our contact information.

Are there Requirements You Must Follow in Setting Salaries?

Yes.  State law directs us to attract citizens of the highest quality to public service by:

• Establishing proper salaries for the elected officials’ positions;
• Basing those salaries on realistic standards; and
• Paying them according to the duties of their office.

Do You Consider the Performance of the Elected Officials?

No. We must base salaries as required and stated above.

Can Salaries be Cut or Frozen?

We cannot cut salaries.  The Constitution forbids us from reducing or cutting the salary of an elected official during their term of office.  However, they can be frozen at current levels.  The salaries of the elected officials are frozen at 2008 levels in 2009 and 2010.

Can the Salary Schedule be Overturned or Changed after Adoption?

Yes and No.  After the salary schedule has been adopted, filed with the Secretary of State, and the 90-day referendum period has passed, neither the Governor, the Legislature, nor the Commission can change it.  Only the public has that authority during the 90-day referendum process.

What Benefits do the Elected Officials Receive? 

They receive many of the same benefits as do state employees and teachers such as health care coverage and membership in the state retirement system.  We have no jurisdiction over their benefits.

Is Legislator Per Diem Included in their Salary?

No.  Per diem is a stipend to cover legislators’ expenses during session.  The amount is set by the House and Senate.  Legislative per diem is common in legislatures across the country.

What Sources Do You Rely on for Data?

• National comparisons – we use recognized sources such as the Council of State Governments, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the National Center for State Courts.  In addition, staff obtains data from other states’ websites and telephone calls.
• In-state comparisons of public positions – information is obtained from sources such as the state Department of Personnel, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Administrative Office of the Courts, University of Washington, Public Ports Association, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and the Council of Presidents of Washington Universities.  We also utilize the Washington Association of Cities’ annual Salary and Benefit Survey of city and county government positions.
• Studies – we utilize the recommendations of Willis Point-Factor Analysis studies that evaluate the duties and responsibilities of the elected officials.  These studies provide factual and objective data upon which to base salaries.
• Input and Testimony by the Elected Officials – we receive position descriptions and hear testimony by the elected officials regarding the duties and responsibilities of their positions.

Can the Public Access this Data?

Yes.  It is posted on our website at www.salaries.wa.gov, click on Salary Information.

What Factors are Considered in Making Salary Decisions?

• The salaries of like positions in other states and in the 13 states that are considered to be most comparable to Washington;
• The salaries of in-state, high level public positions;
• For judges, the salaries of judges on the federal bench;
• The duties and responsibilities required of each office;
• Willis Point Factor Evaluations;
• Gubernatorial and legislative proposals for state employee salaries;
• Economic and budget data and salary and wage trends;
• Presentations by compensation experts;
• Comments and input from the public; and
• Other factors considered to be reasonable and appropriate.

Is the Economic and Political Environment Considered?

Economic and budget forecasts, conditions, and data are considered but politics are not.

How Many People are on the Commission and How are They Selected?

Sixteen unpaid citizens serve on the Commission.  They are appointed in two ways:

• The Secretary of State selects nine members by a random drawing of registered voters, one from each Congressional District. 
• Seven are jointly selected by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate from specific fields of expertise.

Who is on the Commission?

Commissioner	Selected From
Rose Amurao	State Personnel Resources Board
Dale Carlisle	Legal Profession
Sheila Chapman	Congressional District #6
Willean Denton Hornbeck *	Professional Personnel Management
Alan Doman, Chair *	Business
Lane Hartvigson	Congressional District #9
Janet Hays	Orgnaized Labor
Tom Huff, Vice Chair	Private Higher Education
John McCallum *	Congressional District #2
Kenneth Mortimer	Public Higher Education
Dirk Muyskens *	Congressional District #3
Dean Nordstrom	Congressional District #7
Brian Sadden *	Congressional District #8
Katherine Wade-Easley *	Congressional District #1
Joy Yake	Congressional District #5
Vacant *	Congressional District #4

* Term ends June 30, 2010

How Can I Contact You or Get More Information?

You can call, write, telephone, fax, or e-mail us at:

        Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials
        PO Box 43120
        Olympia, WA  98504-3210
        Email:  Teri.Wright@salaries.wa.gov
        Toll Free:  1-866-809-8116 or 360-725-5670
        Fax:  360-586-7544

Visit our website at www.salaries.wa.gov or subscribe to our electronic information system at http://listserv.wa.gov, click on WCCSEO.