Measure on Minnesota Lawmaker Pay Now on 2016 Ballot

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota voters will decide in 2016 if the constitution should be changed to let an independent board set the pay of legislators.

The state Senate voted 43-23 early Monday to put the proposed amendment on the statewide ballot. It follows a tighter House vote on the identical measure. Governors don't have input on constitutional amendments.

If adopted by voters, it would create a special council to determine lawmaker pay. Sponsors say it removes an inherent conflict of interest and takes a politically charged matter out of the Capitol.

Legislators haven't seen a pay raise since 1999, and some worry that the $31,000 salary is become a barrier for some prospective candidates given the time demands of the office.

The pay council would set new salary rates once every two years.