Update
Who Can Afford to Serve in the General Assembly?
Published
Members of the Virginia General Assembly currently earn about $18,000 per year in base salary — a level that has remained unchanged since 1992, more than three decades ago. Adjusted for inflation, that amount would equal more than $42,000 today, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Virginia legislators also receive a per diem payment to cover expenses during the legislative session. While legislative service is technically considered part-time, the responsibilities extend far beyond the weeks lawmakers spend in Richmond. Legislators review legislation, meet with constituents, participate in committee work, and oversee policy decisions that affect millions of Virginians throughout the year.
Virginia Poverty Law Center supports increasing legislative pay so that serving in the General Assembly is not restricted to those who can afford to subsidize the role.
Compensation at its current level can create practical barriers to who is able to serve. Individuals without flexible employment, financial security, or outside income may find it difficult to take on the responsibilities of legislative service. When that happens, the range of lived experiences represented in the legislature can narrow.
Public service shouldn’t be limited to people who can afford to subsidize it,” said Jay Speer, VPLC Executive Director. “If legislative pay hasn’t changed in decades, it’s worth asking who that leaves out.
Proposals under discussion would take effect after the next election, ensuring that voters have the opportunity to weigh in before any changes are implemented. A legislature that reflects the economic diversity of the Commonwealth is better positioned to address the real-world challenges Virginians face — from housing costs to health care access to consumer protection.
Updating legislative pay is fundamentally about who is able to serve.
