Legislative pay: A balancing act for Nebraska

Legislative salaries have long been a curious intersection of principle and practicality. In Nebraska, we pride ourselves on maintaining a citizen-led Legislature, emphasizing public service over personal enrichment. Yet, the current salary of $12,000 a year for state senators—unchanged since 1988—feels like a relic of another era.

Let’s face it: $12,000 doesn’t stretch far in 2025. While senators can offset some costs through reimbursements for travel and housing in Lincoln, the base salary creates a fundamental barrier. It discourages many qualified Nebraskans—those who aren’t independently wealthy or retired—from considering public office. We don’t want the Legislature to become a playground of the affluent, but with such a meager salary, how can it not?

Sen. Myron Dorn deserves credit for introducing a constitutional amendment to raise legislative pay to $30,000 annually. It’s not a staggering sum—still less than the starting salary for many entry-level positions—but it’s a step toward reflecting the workload and responsibilities of our state senators. As Dorn has pointed out, serving in the Unicameral is often a full-time commitment. Between legislative sessions, constituent services, and committee work, senators are stretched thin. For many, holding another job is unrealistic.

Critics may argue that Nebraska voters have rejected pay raises before, most notably in 2012 when a proposed increase to $22,500 was soundly defeated. Perhaps it was a case of “Nebraska nice” gone awry, where lawmakers hesitated to champion their own worth, and voters didn’t see the need to step in. However, public sentiment may be shifting. Many Nebraskans now express surprise—and some embarrassment—at how little we pay our lawmakers.

Raising salaries is about more than fairness to current senators; it’s about securing the future of representative government in Nebraska. Legislative races here don’t demand the eye-popping campaign funds seen at the federal level—a fact we can be proud of—but they should attract a broad pool of candidates. A $12,000 salary all but ensures that only those with financial freedom can seriously consider running.

Naysayers may also point to legislative salaries in other states, questioning why Nebraska needs an increase. Yet, when neighboring South Dakota ties lawmaker pay to a percentage of median household income and Kansas recently doubled legislator salaries, we risk falling far behind. Compensation signals value, and a salary that hasn’t budged in 35 years sends the wrong message about the importance of serving in Nebraska’s Unicameral.

Still, a raise isn’t a blank check. At the Gazette, we support this increase as part of a broader commitment to efficiency in government. A pay hike should come with renewed efforts to streamline state operations, reduce redundancy, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. The Legislature must show that it’s serious about earning not just a better paycheck but also the trust and respect of its constituents.

The question now is whether voters will embrace this modest adjustment. Nebraska has long celebrated its unique Unicameral system and the citizen-legislator ethos at its core. Ensuring that more citizens—not just those with the luxury of wealth or retirement—can serve is critical to preserving that legacy.

Let’s hope Nebraskans see this for what it is: an investment in the diversity, accessibility, and effectiveness of our state government. It’s time to pay our senators a salary that reflects the value of their work.