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.
