MTKA Lawmakers: Who Got Paid During Shutdown?

Legislators' pay has become a political football at the state capitol as some state senators and representatives are voluntarily forgoing their salary for the duration of the state government shutdown. 

A legislator's annual salary is $31,140 per year, not including money they receive from the state for living and travel expenses seven days a week during the regular legislative session.

On Thursday, Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) announced that although she accepted her pay in July, she donated her it to

“I think it will make a difference...those hurting will benefit,” Bonoff said. “I don’t do this job for money. I’m deeply committed to serving the people of Minnesota.”

According to reports, 14 of Bonoff’s senate colleagues have also declined their pay during the state government shutdown.

Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie/Minnetonka) is one of more than 50 senators who did accept a paycheck during the shutdown. And he said he had no qualms about doing it.

“I don’t think you should ask people to continue to work and not be paid. I don’t think it’s fair,” he told Patch. “As long as I’m continuing to do my job I think it’s fair that I continue to get paid.”

On the House side, almost 50 state representatives have reportedly declined a July paycheck and plan to keep denying their pay for the duration of the shutdown.

Rep. John Benson (DFL-Minnetonka) is among them. 

“I’m not taking pay out of sympathy with state employees who aren’t getting paid,” he said. “I’m doing it in solidarity with them.”

Rep. Kirk Stensrud (R-Eden Prairie/Minnetonka) is not. But Stensrud said he collected his July paycheck for no other reason than because doing so is a financial necessity for him and his family.

“I am a citizen legislator. I have to take six months off from my business to do this,” he said. “I am taking my pay but I continue to work…my salary is my fiscal reality. I don’t have the ability to just not take my pay.”

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Quick Facts

• There are 201 total members in the Legislature.

• Of that total, 134 are members of the house: 72 are GOP and 62 belong to the DFL.

• A large number of GOP house reps are brand new. Prior to the election in November 2010 the GOP was in the minority with 47 members in the conservative caucus versus 87 DFLers.

• Legislators from both parties are continuing to take their pay.