A pay raise is proposed by the Washington State Legislature by a “citizen’s” panel for the Court Judges, the Governor, and the State Legislature.

The amount of the raises vary, based on the position.  Judges would received a 12.7% increase next year, and 5.1 percent in 2020.  Governor Inslee would receive a 6.6% increase, while Lt. Gov Habib will receive 13%.  The State’s elected officials would receive an 8.8% increase this year, and another 8.8% next year.

Because of a constitutional amendment proposed by the legislature and passed by the people in 1987, a 10-person, randomly selected panel of citizens by the Secretary of State’s office from across the State decide which politicians get raises, and how much they will receive.

The raises are not based on performance; rather, they are based on the “duties of their office and to attract citizens of the highest quality to public service”.  (Is it working?  You decide.)  The panel can set the raises or decide not to give a raise.  They cannot decrease their salaries.  (You can read more about the commission here.)