Pay hikes suggested for Minn. government leaders

By BRIAN BAKST, Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota's governor and legislators could be in line for their first pay hikes since the late 1990s.

The way top state agency managers are paid could also be in line for a substantial restructuring as part of recommendations from the Compensation Council.

The council is a panel of appointees representing all three branches of state government.

If adopted, the governor's $120,303-a-year base pay would go up 3 percent in 2015 and again in 2016. It has been unchanged since 1998.

Legislator pay would be set at one-third of what the governor makes. That would take their $31,140-a-year salaries to $40,890 in 2015. Their last raise was in 1999.

The proposal could still change, and no pay hikes would occur unless the Legislature and governor ratify any or all recommendations.

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