House dodges pay issue

Whether pay raise recommendations go into effect for state lawmakers and judges is now in the hands of the Senate. The House has rejected a report filed by the Citizens Commission on Compensation that would provide health pay raises for all three branches of government. House Majority Floor Leader Wayne Crump of Potosi tells lawmakers they cannot approve pay raises for lawmakers, and not maker room in the budget for pay raises for other state workers. The House approved the measure rejecting pay raises, then adjourned. The Senate can either accept the House measure or let the report go into effect. The deadline is today.