Newspaper editorials have pointed out that the Commission would not be independent from the Oregon Legislature, which would later determine who would get appointed to the Commission and how it would operate. The Oregonian editorial board stated in its opposition:
Currently, as is the case in 30 other states, legislators have the authority to set their own salaries. Although they have long grumbled about low pay and their workload has increased, lawmakers have lacked the political courage to tackle the issue for themselves.
In a hurried process in 2023, lawmakers proposed enshrining in the constitution a salary commission, which would set salaries for statewide elected officials, judges, district attorneys—and lawmakers.
There is no requirement, however, that the commission be bipartisan or nonpartisan, and there are few limits on whom the Legislature can appoint to that commission: state employees, lobbyists and officials’ family members are barred, but everybody else, including donors and political consultants, is eligible.
But the biggest red flag: Unlike virtually any other action a government body might take, no review or appeal of the salary commission’s decisions is allowed, according to the measure’s official explanatory statement: “Determinations of the commission would not be subject to review or modification by the Legislative Assembly, the governor or any other official.”
That’s bad governance. Vote no. [5]
