House backs raise for next governor

The Georgia House on Wednesday readily supported giving the next governor a heft pay raise, but several lawmakers wondered why the chief executive is the one beneficiary of such largess.

House Bill 202 passed the House 141-22, with all but one of the “no” votes coming from Republicans. The bill would increase the governor’s pay from $139,000 to $175,000. It does not affect Gov. Nathan Deal, who is term-limited from running again.

“We are paying our governor, who oversees hundreds of programs and agencies and employees, he works 24/7, (including) overseas, and manages emergencies all across this state and we’re paying him less than a CEO of a small corporation would receive,” said House Ways and Means Chairman Jay Powell, R-Camilla, the bill’s sponsor.

Several Democrats, however, wondered why the bill doesn’t also include a little something for lawmakers.

“I have no problem with raising the governor’s salary,” said state Rep. Winfred Dukes, D-Albany. “But have you had any consideration of raising our salary?”

Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, responded: “The box is open,” meaning Dukes is welcome to introduce a bill doing just that.

Powell, however, noted that the bill also would reconstitute a dormant commission to study the salary of all constitutional officers and members of the General Assembly and make recommendations to lawmakers. The House, Senate and governor would appoint the members.