The Legislative Salary Council Has Been Announced
St. Paul, MN – Governor Mark Dayton and Chief Justice Lorie Gildea have decided who will be on the elite council that reviews legislators salaries.
The Legislative Salary Council consists of 16 people, two from each of Minnesota’s eight Congressional Districts. Over 270 people applied to be on the council.
“I am pleased to join with Chief Justice Gildea in making these appointments to the Legislative Salary Council,” Governor Dayton stated. “They are all very distinguished citizens, who represent well the political and geographical diversity of Minnesota.”
Both major parties are equally represented within the council, with eight GOP members and eight DFL members.
The change comes after Minnesotans approved a constitutional amendment to strip lawmakers of their power to set their own salaries. The amendment passed with an overwhelming majority.
The council now must decide by March whether or not to approve lawmakers’ current salary of $31,140. The last time changes were made to legislators salaries was 1999.
Governor Dayton’s Appointments:
Joseph Boyle – Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Eighth Congressional District – International Falls, MN
Member
Effective: December 28, 2016
Term Expires: January 15, 2019
Patrice Hannan – Republican Party
Fifth Congressional District – Minneapolis, MN
Member
Effective: December 28, 2016
Term Expires: January 15, 2021
David Metzen – Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Second Congressional District – Mendota Heights, MN
Member
Effective: December 28, 2016
Term Expires: January 15, 2019
Sherrie Pugh – Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Third Congressional District – Mound, MN
Member
Effective: December 28, 2016
Term Expires: January 15, 2021
Dr. Thomas Stinson – Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Fourth Congressional District – Roseville, MN
Member and Chair
Effective: December 28, 2016
Term Expires: January 15, 2019
Randy Twistol – Republican Party
Seventh Congressional District – Thief River Falls, MN
Member
Effective: December 28, 2016
Term Expires: January 15, 2021
Marsha VanDenburgh – Republican Party
Sixth Congressional District – Oak Grove, MN
Member
Effective: December 28, 2016
Term Expires: January 15, 2019
Laura Witty – Republican Party
First Congressional District – St. Peter, MN
Member
Effective: December 28, 2016
Term Expires: January 15, 2021
Chief Justice Gildea’s Appointments:
Diana Burlison – Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Sixth Congressional District – Sauk Rapids, MN
Member
Effective: January 2, 2017
Term Expires: January 15, 2019
William P. Donohue – Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Fourth Congressional District – St. Paul, MN
Member
Effective: January 2, 2017
Term Expires: January 15, 2019
Gregory R. Fox – Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Eighth Congressional District – Duluth, MN
Member
Effective: January 2, 2017
Term Expires: January 15, 2019
James Joy – Republican Party
Seventh Congressional District – Hawley, MN
Member
Effective: January 2, 2017
Term Expires: January 15, 2021
Charles J. McElroy – Republican Party
Fifth Congressional District – Minneapolis, MN
Member
Effective: January 2, 2017
Term Expires: January 15, 2021
Gloria S. Myre – Republican Party
Second Congressional District – Apple Valley, MN
Member
Effective: January 2, 2017
Term Expires: January 15, 2019
Deborah Olson – Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Third Congressional District – Eden Prairie, MN
Member
Effective: January 2, 2017
Term Expires: January 15, 2021
Kenneth A. Wilmes – Republican Party
First Congressional District – Mankato, MN
Member
Effective: January 2, 2017
Term Expires: January 15, 2021
