New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that increases legislators' salaries from $49,000 to $82,000, along with raises for their successors and other senior officials.
Murphy signed the bill on Tuesday, according to a news release from his office. He did not comment on the bill, which was passed by the Democratic-led Legislature in the final days of the previous session earlier this month.
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The bill does not take effect until 2026, so Murphy, who leaves office in January 2026, will not benefit. A second-term incumbent cannot run for governor for a third consecutive term. Congress will face voters in a regular general election in 2025 before the increase takes effect.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy speaks to reporters after signing the bill on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Paulsboro, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)
Lawmakers haven't voted in favor of a pay increase since 2002, but some argued the 67% hike was needed to keep up with rising costs. They also said they sometimes had to line their own pockets to perform the tasks required by their jobs.
Many Republicans questioned the soundness of the wage increase and opposed it.
The bill would increase the governor's salary from $175,000 to $210,000 annually, and would also increase the maximum salary for Cabinet and other senior officials from $175,000 to $210,000. The special amount that lawmakers pay their staff will also increase from $135,000 to $150,000. Unlike some other states, lawmakers do not receive per diem or mileage reimbursement.
It is unclear how much the measure will cost taxpayers. A simple calculation suggests that increasing legislators' salaries would cost nearly $4 million.
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The New Jersey Legislature is considered part-time, meeting regularly from January to June, typically taking vacations during the summer and in the run-up to elections, and then returning for a lame-duck session.
