According to a story at Stateline.org, only 6 states pay their governors less than Indiana does. The $95,000 paid by Indiana exceeds only the governors’ salaries in Oregon, North Dakota, Colorado, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Maine.
SEA 401-2007 amended the Governor’s salary, among others, so that it will change. Darned if I know to what it will change, however. Compare the current law:
The salary of the elected officials of the state is as follows: (1) For the governor, ninety-five thousand dollars per year.
Simple, right?
The new law reads as follows:
(a) Subject to subsection (b), the salary of the governor is ninety-five thousand dollars ($95,000) per year.
(b) Beginning January 12, 2009, and on the second Monday of January of each succeeding fourth year, the salary of the governor is increased after any four (4) year period during which the general assembly does not amend this section to increase the governor’s salary.
(c) The percentage by which salaries are increased under this section is equal to the statewide average percentage, as determined by the budget director, by which the salaries of state employees in the executive branch who are in the same or a similar salary bracket exceed, on January 1 of the current state fiscal year, the salaries of executive branch state employees in the same or a similar salary bracket that were in effect on January 1 of the state fiscal year four (4) years before the current state fiscal year.
(d) The amount of a salary increase under this section is equal to the amount determined by applying the percentage increase for the particular year to the governor’s salary, as previously adjusted under this section, that was in effect on January 1 of the state fiscal year four (4) years before the current state fiscal year.
(e) The governor is not entitled to receive a salary increase under this section if state employees described in subsection (c) have not received a statewide average salary increase during the previous four (4) state fiscal years.
(f) If a salary increase is required under this section, an amount sufficient to pay for the salary increase is appropriated from the state general fund.
Buh?
I’ll just trot out the relevant Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life quote again:
Cleese (as teacher): Now, before I begin the lesson, will those of you who are playing in the match this afternoon move your clothes down onto the lower peg immediately after lunch, before you write your letter home, if you’re not getting your hair cut, unless you’ve got a younger brother who is going out this weekend as the guest of another boy, in which case, collect his note before lunch, put it in your letter after you’ve had your hair cut, and make sure he moves your clothes down onto the lower peg for you. Now,–
Student: Sir?
Teacher: Yes, Wymer?
Student: My younger brother’s going out with Dibble this weekend, sir, but I’m not having my hair cut today, sir.
PUPILS: [chuckling]
Student: So, do I move my clothes down, or–Teacher: I do wish you’d listen, Wymer. It’s perfectly simple. If you’re not getting your hair cut, you don’t have to move your brother’s clothes down to the lower peg. You simply collect his note before lunch, after you’ve done your scripture prep, when you’ve written your letter home, before rest, move your own clothes onto the lower peg, greet the visitors, and report to Mr. Viney that you’ve had your chit signed.
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