Public Policy - Terms of Office

Public Policy - Terms of Office

TERMS OF OFFICE AND COMPENSATION FOR STATE LEGISLATORS
Position In Brief: 

The League of Women Voters of Rhode Island believes that the terms of office for the general officers of the state should be four years. Senatorial terms should be increased to four years. However, the representatives' terms should stay at two years.

The election of four-year term officials should be held in off-presidential years. There should be recall for officials with four-year terms.

Bracketing of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of the same party is not favored by the League.

Legislators Compensation The pension system for state legislators should be similar to state employees retirement system and be actuarially sound. The amount of the legislative pay should not be in the Constitution. The League does favor a constitutional amendment that would outline a per diem formula based on the average Rhode Island earned income.

The mileage allowance should be commensurate with that allowed to federal employees. The cost of health insurance plans should be paid by legislators at the group rate available through the state. There should be no life insurance benefit. Vouchered expenses should continue to be allowed, but the League does not favor any unvouchered allowance for expenses.

The League favors an impartial commission to make recommendations to the General Assembly on those matters of compensation not in the Constitution. The Legislature could accept, refuse or reject the recommendations. This commission would be appointed by the governor and would not include legislators. These benefits would be reviewed by the commission at regular intervals.

Position History: 

February 3, 1990; Revised May 17, 2003

Issues: 
League to which this content belongs: 
Rhode Island