Panel suggests 11-percent raise for Washington lawmakers

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A salary-setting board wants to boost salaries for most state lawmakers by 11.2 percent.

The News Tribune reports the raise would be in two steps, to $46,839 in September 2016. The raise would be lawmakers' first salary increase in seven years.

The Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials voted 9 to 5 to support the proposal Tuesday. The final decision won't come until May.

Rank-and-file lawmakers in Washington make $42,106, fifth-most in a group of 23 states with similar time commitments.

The raises would bring 143 lawmakers up to $46,839. Four legislative leaders have higher salaries. The House and Senate minority leaders would make $51,288 under the proposal and the House speaker and Senate majority leader would make $55,738.