Panel OKs Plan To Raise Pay For Elected Officials

A divided Ohio House committee has passed a plan to boost the salaries of judges, legislators and other elected officials. State lawmakers, statewide officeholders and most county officials last received a cost-of-living adjustment in 2008. Judges haven't seen an increase in at least six years. Sponsoring Rep. Gerald Stebelton joined most fellow Republicans in supporting the raises, arguing they're needed to retain and attract professionals to elected positions in government. The proposal was revised this week to push back certain pay raises to 2017 from 2015. All increases would be good until 2023, and then an advisory panel would make pay recommendations. Democrats opposed the House bill. They cited Senate President Keith Faber's competing compensation proposal as undermining the House bill's chances and trapping politicians in an unpopular vote.