By Sen. Brandon Shippy
I get it—talking about a pay raise for legislators isn’t something most people want to hear right now. With the cost of everything going up, it might seem like the wrong time. I’ve wrestled with it myself, and while I haven’t fully supported the increase, I also haven’t strongly opposed it. Let me explain why.
Part-Time System, Full Time Commitment
People call the Idaho Legislature “part-time,” and technically, that’s true. But the reality is, it’s a full-time commitment. During the session, the hours are long—days that often stretch into nights—and it pulls you away from everything else in your life. Even when we’re out of session, the work continues: helping constituents, studying issues, meeting with groups, and preparing for the next year.
This isn’t a complaint—I enjoy serving and consider it an honor to represent the people of my district.
At $25,000 a year (up from $19,913), the pay is still modest, especially for those of us stepping away from regular jobs or businesses to serve. For many legislators, this is a financial tradeoff, not a windfall. Nobody’s getting rich in this job, and that’s not why we do it.
And let me be clear: I didn’t run for the Senate for the money, and I believe the same is true for all of our conservative legislators. We ran because we believe in serving our constituents for the Lord’s sake and for the cause of liberty—not for personal gain.
We Need All Kinds of People Representing Idaho
Here’s the bigger issue: if the pay isn’t enough to cover the basics, the only people who can afford to do this job are the wealthy or retired. And that’s not good for Idaho. We need legislators who know what it’s like to run a small business, work on a farm, run equipment, or teach in a classroom.
At the same time, we’ve got to strike a balance. The pay needs to be enough to make public service accessible to everyday folks, but not so high that people start running for the paycheck instead of the opportunity to serve. Public service should always be about representing the people and standing for what makes Idaho so great.
The Laborer is Worthy of His Hire
The Lord Jesus taught in Luke 10:7 that “the laborer is worthy of his hire.” He was reminding His disciples that those who dedicate themselves to serving others deserve fair support in return.
Legislative work is service—it’s not glamorous or easy, and it often comes at a personal cost. But the principle Jesus spoke about still holds true: those who take on the work of serving their community shouldn’t have to do so at a financial loss or hardship to their families.
This isn’t about personal gain—it’s about making sure those who step up to serve Idaho don’t have to choose between serving their state and supporting their families.
Legislators Don’t Give Themselves a Raise
It’s important to understand that the legislature doesn’t have the authority to give itself a pay raise. The decision for this increase came from the Citizens Committee on Legislative Compensation, an independent group made up of regular Idaho citizens. Their job is to evaluate what’s fair for legislators based on the work we do.
Our role in this process is limited. We can either reduce or reject the committee’s recommendation, but we can’t raise our own pay. This safeguard is in place to make sure these decisions are fair, transparent, and ultimately accountable to the people of Idaho.
Why It Matters
When legislators aren’t compensated sufficiently, they often have to focus more on their regular jobs just to make ends meet. That leaves less time to dig into the issues, do their own research, and truly understand the needs of the people they represent.
When time is tight, it’s easy for legislators to lean too much on lobbyists or government agencies for help. While those groups have their place, they shouldn’t be the ones driving the agenda. Legislators need the time and freedom to roll up their sleeves, do the hard work, and represent their constituents based on their own judgment—not someone else’s influence.
A Commitment to the People
Let me be clear: if this pay increase is going to happen, we’ve got a responsibility to earn it. I’m committed to using my time in office to ease the burden on taxpayers and to uphold a government that supports our Constitution and protects the life, liberty, and property of the people.
This isn’t about making anyone wealthy. It’s about making sure Idaho’s legislature stays accessible to everyone—not just the wealthy or retired—and ensuring that we have a government that truly serves the people of Idaho.
Thanks for reading. I’m always open to your thoughts and feedback. Email me at brandon@shippyforidaho.com
About Brandon Shippy
Brandon Shippy is an Idaho State Senator. He is the owner of Shippy Sprinkler, a deacon in his church, and lives with his wife Rakel and three children in New Plymouth.
