The panel reviewing the salaries of Arkansas' elected officials wants the Legislature's research staff to compile economic data from other states before recommending any changes.
The Independent Citizens Commission, which was created by voters last November, faces a Feb. 2 deadline to review current salaries. At its meeting Wednesday, it said it hopes to address legislative salaries first, then those of constitutional officers, then the state's judges.
Panel members want to compare current salaries to those in states with similar populations, per-capita income and state budgets.
State Budget Administrator Brandon Sharp told the panel it is difficult to make state-to-state comparisons. Chuck Banks, the panel's vice chairman, said a resolution doesn't have to be perfect, just reasonable.
