TRENTON, NJ – Assemblyman Jay Webber criticized the proposed 67% salary increase for New Jersey lawmakers, a move seen as controversial amidst the state’s rising cost of living and inflation pressures. The bill, designated A5190, suggests raising the annual salary of lawmakers from $49,000 to $82,000 by 2026. This figure marks an increase from an earlier proposal of $75,000.
Amendments on Thursday to the bill eliminated the indexing of legislator salaries to inflation, which was initially set to start in 2028 with a 2% annual cap. The current iteration of the bill does not include provisions for salary adjustments based on inflation rates.
Additionally, the bill proposes increasing the legislators’ staff allowance from $135,000 to $150,000. It also suggests raising the salary caps for executive directors of each caucus and members of Governor Phil Murphy’s cabinet from $175,000 to $210,000, effective from 2024.
Furthermore, the bill includes a salary increase for the governor, from the current $175,000 to $210,000. However, this raise would only be implemented with the inauguration of Murphy’s successor in early 2026.