The Senate has voted unanimously, 33-0, to pass HCR 6, the resolution to reject the scheduled 5 percent raises and mileage reimbursement boosts for state lawmakers this year. The resolution earlier passed the House unanimously; the Senate's vote today was the final action, and the resolution now takes effect. Senate President Pro-Tem Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs, said when the Citizens Committee on Legislative Compensation met in June to make its recommendation, "Our economy and the resources of the state looked considerably different than they do today." Geddes said by foregoing the raise, lawmakers will save the state $180,000, money that can go to better use in the state's current budget crunch. The resolution is a "sacrifice" for senators, Geddes said, but, "I think it's the right thing for us to do."

Lawmakers actually have already been getting the raise and the mileage reimbursement boosts since Dec. 1. But Legislative Services Director Jeff Youtz said now that HCR 6 has passed, their pay and reimbursement rates will drop back to what they were before the boost. "As soon as it passes the Senate, then they go back to their old rates," he said.

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