Speaker Moyle’s Ridiculous Politician Pay Raise Advances

For Immediate Release:

Boise, ID – Citizens are outraged after learning that politicians in Boise may be receiving a pay raise even after rejecting a proposal to repeal the grocery tax. 

“I’m appalled that Speaker Moyle and his cronies have the gall to reject citizens’ calls for relief at the checkout counter only to team up with Democrats and ask for a pay raise!” said Sulamita Rotante, Field Manager with American Action Fund. “Instead of grabbing more taxpayer money for themselves, our elected officials should be working to reduce government spending and keep the state out of our wallets!”

Outgoing Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder, Speaker of the House Mike Moyle, and Democrat leaders from both chambers penned a letter to the Citizens’ Committee on Legislative Compensation last month asking them to reward legislators with a 43% pay raise.

Not all politicians are on board with the pay raise proposal, however.

Incoming State Representative David Leavitt wrote, “Our focus should be on downsizing the size and scope of government, not inflating the paychecks of those in office.”

He went on to call for repealing the grocery tax and passing school choice legislation.

Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld and incoming Senator Christy Zito also called for a grocery tax repeal, pointing out that the state budget has increased 55% over the past five years. “People are struggling; families are worried about how they will feed, clothe, and educate their children,” they wrote, expressing objections to the proposed pay increase.

American Action Fund mobilized grassroots Idahoans in opposition to the proposal. Despite the calls to reject any politician pay raise, the committee unanimously approved a lesser pay raise of 25.5% which will automatically go into effect if legislators do not reject it. 

American Action Fund is a grassroots movement dedicated to eliminating tyranny in state governments and transforming states into beacons of liberty. Learn more at www.AmericanActionFund.org