LEAH VUKMIR

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DATE: January 20, 2009

TO: All Legislators

FROM: Representative Leah Vukmir

RE: Co-Sponsorship of LRB 1503/1 Relating to Diminishing Pay During the

Legislative Term

** Deadline 5:00 PM, February 20th, 2009 **

As we all know, the Wisconsin Constitution prohibits the legislature from increasing their pay
during the current term. This provision is good public policy.
Unfortunately, reducing legislative pay during the term is also prohibited. This limitation makes
it impossible for the legislature to reconsider pay increases due to changes in the economy or
other factors.
LRB 15031/1 eliminates the prohibition on diminishing legislative pay.

STATE CAPITOL
P.O. Box 8953 • MADISON, WISCONSIN 53708-8953
(608) 266- 9180 • (888) 534-0014 • FAX (608) 282-3614
 2009 − 2010 LEGISLATURE LRB−1503/1
SRM:cjs:md

2009 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

1 To amend section 26 (2) (intro.) of article IV of the constitution; relating to: public

2 officer salary changes (first consideration).

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

The constitution prohibits increases or decreases in the compensation of a
public officer during the term for which he or she was elected, with certain
exceptions. This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2009 legislature on first
consideration, deletes the prohibition against decreases in compensation during the
term for which an officer was elected.
A constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive legislatures,
and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.

3 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That:

4 SECTION 1. Section 26 (2) (intro.) of article IV of the constitution is amended

5 to read:

6 [Article IV] Section 26 (2) (intro.) Except as provided in this subsection, the

7 compensation of a public officer may not be increased or diminished during the term

8 of office:
 LRB−1503/1
2009 − 2010 Legislature −2− SRM:cjs:md
SECTION 1

1 Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the

2 legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3

3 months previous to the time of holding such election.

4 (END)