Being a Utah legislator involves sacrifices, perks

But for a legislator trying to hold down a daily job and serve, it is a struggle. Over the 25-plus years I've covered the Legislature, I've seen great personal sacrifices. I've seen marriages fail and personal and professional relationships strained. I've seen lawmakers who had to change private jobs because their employers couldn't or wouldn't accommodate their legislative service.

And I've seen good legislators have to quit public services because for various reasons they couldn't afford it.

I've also seen legislators be dragged through public scandals, targeted in personal attacks because of their votes or comments and generally abused (from their point of view).

But legislative service also has great benefits, personally as well as professionally.

Dozens of former legislators now make their livings as lobbyists and make much more money at it than they did in their prelegislative jobs.

Legislative service can be a stepping stone to a higher, and better, elective office. Just ask Ralph Becker, who served as the House minority leader for years before just being elected Salt Lake City mayor.

U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, was a Utah House speaker and lobbyist before being elected to Congress. And former Gov. Norm Bangerter was also a House speaker before stepping up to the governor's office.

A number of legislators parlay their legislative service, through contacts, etc., into much better-paying private jobs than they had before their elections.

And there is the general respect the lawmakers gather personally from their offices — powerful businessmen, politicians, government officials, community leaders and their own neighbors may cater to them, for example.

For a few who really like to see their names in the newspapers, their pictures on TV, being a legislator sets them apart. It's a nice ego rush.

As I've written before, Utah's lawmakers deserve a healthy raise in pay. They should be paid an annual salary — in the range of $20,000 to $25,000 — and not tied to a daily compensation level.

But legislators should also be square with citizens, admit most of them are making nearly $400 per workday in the general session and stop hiding behind the $140 per day salary level as their lone compensation.

There are many sacrifices to being a Utah legislator. But there are a lot of perks, also.

---

Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com