What is Ballot Measure 116? New commission would determine top officials' salaries

Oregon voters in November will decide whether to create an independent commission to determine salaries for state-wide elected officials, legislators and district attorneys.

Ballot Measure 116 asks voters whether they support establishing the Independent Public Service Compensation Commission, which would set salaries for Oregon's governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, the Bureau of Labor and Industries commissioner, Supreme Court judges, district attorneys, state senators and state representatives.

Lobbyists, immediate family members of and state officials and employees would be prohibited from serving on the commission. The exact makeup of the commission would be determined in the future.

Many salaries for elected officials are set by statute and require legislative approval to change. Legislators approved asking voters to determine if the commission should be created, saying it was a step toward addressing wage changes instead of asking elected officials to set salaries.

The proposed amendment to the Oregon Constitution needs a majority of voters' support to pass. Measure 116 is one of the three amendments to Oregon's Constitution that will be decided in the Nov. 5 election.

Why an independent commission was proposed to determine elected officials' salaries

Independent commissions provide input on salaries in 21 other states, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.

Oregon previously had a commission appointed by elected officials charged with making salary recommendations for elected officials.

It recommended salary increases in 2008, but state legislators did not adopt any of the recommendations.

The commission was largely inactive and eventually disbanded in 2017.

Sponsors of the proposal on the ballot this year, including then-Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, said the commission would allow public officials' salaries to be decided by non-politicians.

"In all branches of government, we have seen the consequences of our failure as a state to set salaries for our elected officials that reflect the responsibilities of the job and that help ensure that we can attract and retain highly qualified people to those offices of public service," Oregon Chief Justice Megan Flynn told lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session.

How does Oregon governor's salary compares to other states

Gov. Tina Kotek receives an annual salary of $98,600. That's the second lowest in the nation behind Maine ($70,000.) The average salary for governors in 2022 was $148,939, according to the Council of State Governments.

How Oregon attorney general's salary compares to other states

At $82,220, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is the lowest-paid attorney general in the nation. New York's attorney general receives an annual salary of $220,000 and attorneys general in neighboring states are paid $134,000 in Idaho, $189,841 in California and $172,259 in Washington.

How Oregon secretary of state's salary compares to other states

Oregon's secretary of state makes $77,000 a year, less than most officials with the same title. The 2022 national average salary for the position was $121,628, according to the Council of State Governments.

How Oregon treasurer's salary compares to other states

Oregon's state treasurer is paid $77,000 a year, only behind Wisconsin ($72,551) and Arizona ($70,000), according to the Council of State Government's Book of States.

How Oregon labor commissioner's salary compares to other states

Oregon's labor commissioner makes $77,000 a year, the lowest in the country. West Virginia's labor commission is the second-lowest paid in the country at $85,000. California's labor commissioner earns the most with an annual salary of $227,179.

How Oregon Supreme Court justices' salaries compare to other states

Oregon's Supreme Court chief justice is paid $191,784. That salary is set to increase to $204,348 in January of 2025.

Associate justices in Oregon are paid $188,208. They'll be paid $200,544 as of January. That salary ranks 38th in the country, according to the National Center for State Courts.

California had the highest associate justice salary in the NCSC's survey at $291,094. West Virginia was ranked the lowest state with $149,600. Only the territory Northern Mariana ranked lower at $126,000.

How much Oregon's circuit court judges are paid

The salaries for the 179 judicial positions at the circuit court level are $174,108.

Circuit Court judges preside over courts where civil, criminal, traffic and other cases are housed. They are elected for six-year terms.

The state legislature has not changed circuit court judges' statutory salary since 2019, according to the Judicial Department. A cost of living increase next year will increase their pay to $185,508.

Data from the National Center for State Courts ranked Oregon's circuit court trial judge salaries 35th in the country, and 46th when adjusted for cost of living.

How much money county prosecutors in Oregon make

Of Oregon's 36 elected district attorneys, 26 are paid $11,648 a month ($139,776 a year), according to the Oregon of Administrative Services.

In the other 10 counties with populations of more than 100,000, county prosecutors are paid a monthly salary of $13,710 ($164,520 a year).

How much money Oregon lawmakers make compared to other states

Oregon's lawmakers earned $35,052 in salary in 2023 plus a $157 per day allowance each day the Legislature is in session. Lawmakers are at the Oregon Capitol for sessions of 160 days in odd-numbered years and 35 days in even-numbered years.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, their salary is lower than the average annual base salary of $44,320 for lawmakers nationally.

In neighboring states, lawmakers earn a salary of $19,913 in Idaho, $128,215 in California and $61,997 (House) or $60,191 (Senate) in Washington.