Maine lawmakers are set to receive a 61 percent higher salary than their predecessors when they reconvene next week.
This comes as a result of legislation included in the most recent budget signed into law raising lawmakers’ compensation from $28,000 for a two-year term to $45,000.
Legislators will receive $25,000 for the first session and $20,000 for the second session.
Beginning in 2026, after Gov. Janet Mills (D) is termed out of office, the governor’s salary will also rise, increasing from $70,000 annually to $125,000 annually. The governor’s expense account will also quadruple from $10,000 to $40,000.
These changes represent the first increases to the governor’s compensation since 1987.
Under Maine’s constitution, lawmakers and governors cannot increase their own salaries, meaning that any changes that are made can only apply to future Legislatures and executives.
That said, any lawmakers who were reelected in November will be eligible to receive this increased level of compensation for the upcoming term.
The proposal to increase lawmakers’ salaries drew bipartisan support in the 131st Legislature, with those on both sides of the aisle arguing that the prior level of compensation was insufficient to attract and retain effective representation.
In an interview last year with the Portland Press Herald, House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) indicated that the old salaries were “way too low” and were a barrier to having more “working-class people” serving in office.
“If we want a better representation of the public, we need to increase salaries so working-class people can serve in these positions,” Rep. Faulkingham said.
Rep. Laurie Osher (D-Orono) appeared to agree that the lower level of compensation was inadequate for certain groups of Mainers — including “young people, people of color, and low-income and working-class Mainers” — to participate in government.
“Because of this, the Legislature does not accurately reflect the Mainers who elect us,” Rep. Osher said. “There are vital perspectives that are underrepresented or even missing from the conversation because too many Mainers cannot afford to serve.”
These pay increases are estimated to cost taxpayers a total of $1.7 million this year.
In addition to their salaries, lawmakers are also eligible to either receive a $150 daily stipend for meals and lodging or to be reimbursed for the mileage of their commutes.
According to a report from the Portland Press Herald, these reimbursements and stipends totaled $1.7 million during the 2023 legislative session, former Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) and Faulkingham, received $35,540 and $28,000 respectively.
Despite having the second-longest commute, Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Presque Isle) received only $17,717 in reimbursements.
Both leadership and rank-and-file members are given the same reimbursement and stipend options.
What about their Health insurance and Retirement pay?
Somali welfare queens in Lewiston were paid MORE than our state legislators ?
Unbelievable!
WTF ?
Huh, sixty ONE PERCENT, pay raise. Wonder why they added that extra ONE percent…Now where have I heard about that ONE PERCENT recently… hmmmmmm…
vote everyone out! This country was founded on poor representation, but if we speak of revolution now we are jailed.
We’ve almost always been able to give our employees a cost of living raise yearly, there were a few lean years in the beginning but it’s been pretty steady after that. Since the new 1% payroll tax COLA’s are now reduced by 1%. Who did you think was going to pay this? I recommend all other employers to do the same and then maybe the working class will understand the dems are not their friends.
Liberal Logic: Only in the Bizarro World do these dimwits who created a financial disaster for the state get rewarded with a raise.
They get pay raises , We get a 1% tax increase … how’s that working for working maine families !?
Billy ” Blob ” is the perfect Caricature of RINO Republican a Fat Assed Mouth Piece !
The demorats, under the guidance of a demorat Governess voted themselve a big, very faaaat pay raise? To steal a line from a classic movie: “Shocked, I am shocked to see theft going on in here!!!”
I worked for the State for 31 years, biggest raise I ever, ever received was 3%, with a $billion defect coming, this should be a crime to get a 61% raise.
It should not be their only source of income. Let’s not forget Joey much Troy Jackson claimed on mileage in 1 year
Maine is in the hole$1 billion so let’s give ourselves a 61% pay raise on Mainer’s backs!!! Had enough yet Mainers? Oh let me guess no because you just re-elect these scumbags. Great job!!!
All those working in Maine should demand a 61% pay raise before paying the new payroll tax. Just to be fair.
Craig
19 hours ago
They get pay raises , We get a 1% tax increase … how’s that working for working maine families !?
Evidently just great, we keep voting the clowns in, and why not. The majority of their supporters are sitting on their @$$ all day puffing on hippie lettuce’ swilling Allens Coffee Brandy and watching the idiot box. OH SORRY, you said working maine families, NOT SO BLEEPING GREAT.
Only when REAL Mainers have had enough and vote these Socialist Democrats out of office (or drag them out by their heels) will we stand a chance of saving what’s left of Maine! So far, it looks like just whining and crying, but no action. We are getting exactly what we deserve for allowing Toad Mills her cadre of Socialists to remain in power, and for the Democrat transplants infesting Southern Maine to dictate our election outcomes!
And where is the Republican Party of Maine?
Sound asleep as usual!
When is it time to fight the Socialist Wildfire in Augusta with fire of our own? 2026?
Can OUR Maine survive that long?
To paraphrase Sun Tzu: The EVIL in Augusta will burn this state to the ground to rule over the ashes!
Is what what we are waiting for?
The salary was never there to attract. You’re supposed to be doing it to serve the people. Pitiful reasoning.
The death of citizen government. I guess the Augusta goons will be able to afford energy prices, now
That’s not a RAISE…. that’s a blatant BRIBE!!!!!
Working one job and getting paid for two.
NH Legislators get $100 per legislative session and no health insurance. New Hampshire is reducing taxes in 2025 although they collected $3 billion less in taxes last year than Maine. I guess the PSWP (Public Sector Workers’ Party) rules!
New Hampshire legislators are paid $100 per legislative session with no health insurance. Can we find anyone in our solar system can explain why our clownish legislature is worth thousands of times more (all paid by Maine’s fools)?????