The Independent Citizens Commission on Thursday gave initial approval to a plan to raise most state prosecutors' salaries from $123,162 a year to $152,000.
It would amount to a 23 percent raise for full-time prosecutors.
The seven-member panel was formed through a voter-approved constitutional amendment to review salaries for the state's top elected officials.
The proposal means the 25 full-time prosecutors would be paid about 95 percent of what circuit judges receive, which is $160,000. The panel called for raising pay for three prosecutors who are allowed to also work in private practice from $103,058 year to $129,200.
The panel plans a final vote on the pay raises May 13.
EARLIER STORY:
An independent committee considering whether to raise Arkansas prosecutors' salaries is meeting at the state Capitol.
The Independent Citizens Commission plans to meet Thursday as it reviews prosecutors' salaries and whether they deserve a pay raise. The seven-member panel was formed through a voter-approved constitutional amendment to review and adjust salaries for the state's legislators, constitutional officers and judges.
The Legislature earlier this year voted to have the committee set salaries for prosecutors as well.
The Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association has recommended the commission give prosecutors a 23 percent pay raise.
