Arkansas lawmakers have voted to end the reimbursements they can receive for office expenses, clearing the way for them to have their salaries more than double.
The House and Senate gave final approval to identical measures ending the up to $14,400 in reimbursements lawmakers can currently receive. The reimbursements have been the focus of criticism that lawmakers were using the money to pad their salaries.
An independent panel voted Monday to raise legislators' salaries from $15,869 a year to $39,400 and pay for the House speaker and Senate president from $17,771 to $45,000. The commission, however, said the raises wouldn't take effect until 10 days after legislation was signed into law ending the reimbursements.
A spokesman said Gov. Asa Hutchinson planned to sign the legislation into law.
