Raises all around…

After months of study, the state’s Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials has concluded that the hundreds of state politicians and judges for whom it sets the salaries are all underpaid.

The prescription: Substantial raises for all, ranging from 7 percent for appellate, district and superior court judges to nearly 17 percent for Lt. Gov. Brad Owen , who will see his salary jump from $78,930 to $92,106 this summer.

At a meeting in Seatac Tuesday, some members of the commission balked at Owen’s increase — the largest of the bunch — but were overruled by their colleagues.

“I don’t mind catching up, but I thought we over-caught,” said Katherine Wade-Easley, a Woodinville horse trainer on the panel.

As in previous years, public comment was minimal. Hearings in Spokane, Olympia, Port Angeles and Everett drew only about 15 people. Another 60 submitted comments by phone or over the Internet. Wade-Easley said that the group was surprised at the number of people who urged more pay for elected officials.

“There clearly were those who said it’s outrageous, that nobody should get these kinds of raises, that they’re public servants,” said retired banker Alan Doman, another member. “You always have that element. But I think there was much more of a balance this time, including people that were supportive of increasing the pay.”

(To read our full print story, click here.)

Here’s what the commissioners approved. Barring a citizen’s referendum to try to repeal them, they’ll take effect Sept. 1.

Gov. Chris Gregoire: $150,995 to $163,618.
Lt. Gov. Brad Owen: $78,930 to $92,106.
Supreme Court justices: $145,636 to $155,556.
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown: $44,311 to $49,280.
House Speaker Frank Chopp: $44,311 to $49,280.
Secretary of State Sam Reed: $105,811 to $114,657.
Treasurer Mike Murphy: $105,811 to $114,657.
Auditor Brian Sonntag: $105,811 to $114,657.
Attorney General Rob McKenna: $137,268 to $148,744.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler: $105,811 to $114,657.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson: $107,978 to $119,234.
Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland: $107,978 to $119,234.
Appeals Court judges: $138,636 to $148,080.
Superior Court judges: $131,988 to $140,979.
District Court judges: $125,672 to $134,232.
Most state representatives and senators: $36,311 to $41,280.

Source: WA Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials

Correction: The figures for judges above have been updated. Apparently there was a calculation error last night by commission staff, resulting in slightly lower numbers — $100-$200 a year — provided last night. These are the final numbers.