photo by Pixabay user Olichel
(OLYMPIA) A Washington lawmaker says she can’t afford to run for another term, so she’s calling it quits when this term expires.
She’s the latest in a series of Northwest lawmakers who say young, diverse newcomers can’t afford to represent the people.
A child of immigrants from India, State Senator Mona Das has been proud to represent Kent. She first came to this country when she was 8 year old. Today, she’s the vice chair of the majority caucus.
Last week, she announced on Facebook that she’s not running for re-election…in part…because she’s had difficulty meeting financial obligations on a lawmakers salary.
She’s not the only younger, diverse lawmaker having to end dreams of helping to make a positive change.
“Between bills, student loans, and two kids in daycare, I’ve never been able to stop working my second job,” Karin Power tells KGW.com.
Power is a wife, a mom, has a full time job, AND is a state representative in Oregon.
“We can’t make ‘ends meat’ on a legislative salary alone,” says Power.
While a critical thought is tempting, the reality is that in Oregon, a state lawmaker brings home $33,000 a year. Here in Washington, the base pay is about $58,000. It sounds higher, but still not minimum wage for the amount of hours put in.
So Power, after just one term, will not seek re-election. Two other newly elected young, female representatives will do the same…including House member Anna Williams.
“People got elected in our last election that really made our legislature look like Oregon looks as whole,” Willams told KGW. “From age diversity, gender diversity, LGTBQ+ status, and racial diversity.”
More than the low pay, THAT may be the real tragedy. Efforts to make sure those representing us at the capitol better reflect the actual citizens have hit a financial wall.
The leaves mostly older, wealthier individuals who can afford to spend time in Olympia and Salem representing citizens. It’s a majority that continues to be be older, white men.
“The challenge is keeping those folks, the younger ones who have families really are struggling to figure out how to make it work,” Williams adds.
A bill to raise the salary for Oregon lawmakers died in committee this past session, where members thought the public would scoff at lawmakers giving themselves a raise. Washington just raised the yearly salary from roughly $57,000 to $58,000 and change.
For those who want more female, racial, and other diversity at the state house, it may come down to the question “How much is this really worth to you?”
“We got all these folks in, now the trouble is keeping them,” says Power.
