ABC 33/40 – Birmingham News, Weather, Sports
(Video Above: Rep. David Faulkner explains his bill to require public notice of city pay increase proposals via ABC 33/40)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama Representative David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook) announced Thursday he will file a bill in the legislature requiring city councils to publicly post pay increase proposals for 30 days before a vote. The law would be retroactive.
Last month the Birmingham City Council caused controversy when it raised its own pay by 233% without duly informing the public of the upcoming vote. Though the increase is only applicable to those members who are reelected in 2016, many in the community saw the vote as indicative of many larger problems in the Council chambers.
The vote increased the wage for City Council member, a part time position, from $15,000 to $50,000 beginning in 2017. In addition to the increase is an expense allowance of nearly $10,000, bringing total compensation to almost twice that of the city’s median household income.
“The purpose is that if you’re going to be giving a pay raise with taxpayer money, with the people’s money, then you need to give those people notice that you’re doing that,” said Faulkner.
Rep. Faulkner says his bill would merely bring the laws regarding city councils in line with those regulating the pay of county commissions.
“I’m new to the legislature and it baffles me that this isn’t already in place,” he told ABC 33/40.
Related: Alabama lawmakers blast Birmingham City Council for ‘deceitful’ pay increase
Longtime Alabama Senator Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) said he supports the bill and believes it will have wide bipartisan support.
“I like the bill and I’ll certainly help Representative Faulkner pass it if it passes the House. I’ll take over and try to pass it through the Senate,” he said.
One of those colleagues on board with the proposal is fellow veteran Senator Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), whose law practice and long tenure in the State Legislature make him one of the most influential people in the Birmingham community.
Birmingham City Council President Johnathan Austin has also said he would support the bill, conceding he doesn’t know whether or not the Council would vote again on the pay increase should it be repealed by Faulkner’s bill.
The Alabama Legislature will return to Montgomery on Tuesday, September 8th to begin the second Special Session.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
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