Commentary: Legislators deserve a pay increase — if they do the job

By: Dana Hess

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: September 6, 2026

Words: 707

Last Updated: 1 hour, 52 minutes ago

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According to a recent South Dakota Searchlight story, legislators could get a 4% raise when they gather in Pierre this January. Legislator pay is set at 20% of the state’s household median income as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. The median household income is expected to go up this year, bumping annual legislative salaries from $15,970 to $16,608.

Tying legislator pay to the median household income was a smart move on the part …

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