New Bill Would Give NJ Legislature Massive Pay Raise

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, the bill, slated for review by the state Senate Budget Committee on Thursday afternoon, proposes salary increases for judges, legislative staff, and lawmakers. Under the legislation, pay rates for members of the Legislature would rise from $49,000 to $75,000 annually, effective in 2026. Additionally, salaries could be adjusted annually by no more than 2%, based on the Consumer Price Index, starting in the 2028 legislative year.

Considered part-time, legislators have not received a raise since 2002. The bill also suggests increasing the allowance for legislators to compensate their staff, raising it from $135,000 to $150,000.

Beyond the Legislature, the next governor’s annual salary would increase to $210,000, compared to the $175,000 received by Gov. Phil Murphy. Other positions, such as executive directors of full-time legislative staff for both parties in both chambers and the executive director of the Office of Legislative Services, would see their salaries rise from $175,000 to $210,000 retroactively from July 1, 2023. The governor’s cabinet would also experience a $35,000 increase, moving from $175,000 to $210,000 retroactively from July 1, 2023. The last adjustment for these salaries occurred in 2018. However, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who serves in the cabinet as secretary of state, would not see the raise take effect until 2026.

The annual salary adjustments for justices and judges, initiated in January 2021 based on changes in the Consumer Price Index, would persist until 2027. The bill also sets the salary for presiding judges of the Superior Court and presiding judges of the tax court at $207,166.50.

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