Kevin Nicholson, a candidate in the Republican primary for Governor, is proposing a reduction in time and pay for members of the State Legislature, framing it as a means to both save money and attract political newcomers.
“It’s for more than just the financial purpose. It’s also to say, let’s free this up so that more people can serve,” he said in an interview. “People that work regular jobs in the private sector that can start to say, “OK, you know, I can’t park my business or my life or my job, just to be a legislator. But you know what, honestly, if this is a more constricted thing, and it’s a part-time role, and everybody accepts that you continue to work in the private sector, sure, I could stand up and serve.”
According to the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), Wisconsin is one of only ten states that has a full-time legislature. A spokeswoman for the Nicholson campaign said that he would work with lawmakers to determine new pay levels and benefits packages.
State legislators currently receive an annual salary of $55,141. Senators who live outside of Dane County can claim an additional $115 per day, while those in Dane County can claim $57.50. Representatives outside of Dane County may claim $153 per trip that includes an overnight stay, while all other representatives can claim $76.50 per day. These per diem payments can be claimed up to 90 days each year.
While a spokesman for Governor Tony Evers did not say whether Evers backed Nicholson’s proposal, he has similarly criticized the Legislature in the past for infrequently meeting during certain periods.
Former Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, who is also a candidate in the Republican primary, pushed back on Nicholson’s proposal by referencing his lack of experience in state government.
“The legislators receive a per diem (stipend) for actually coming into work. But it is incumbent upon them as part of their job responsibilities to answer constituent issues and solve problems every day,” she said. “If you’re a legislator, you should be on call 24/7. I mean, that’s public service.”
Rep. Timothy Ramthun (R-Campbellsport), another candidate in the GOP primary, said that he wants legislators to work more in the Capitol to justify their full-time salary and benefits.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) declined to comment. Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine), on the other hand, said that being a legislator is a full-time position and claimed that Republican legislators were treating it like a part-time one.
