Today in the Corrections Committee, Assembly Majority voted to move forward Assembly Bill 8080. The bill would give inmates a wage increase of up to 1,566%, costing taxpayers $2.75 million and establish a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) every five years. The bill would raise inmates’ wages to $1.20 to $10 from the 60 cents most inmates make per day. Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) vehemently opposes the measure.

“This bill would give prisoners up to a 1,566% pay increase, making them some of the highest paid criminals in the country and provide a cost-of-living adjustment every five years. It seems that you don’t have to leave the state to find financial relief, instead just be convicted of a crime,” said Byrnes. “Small businesses are struggling to stay afloat and middle-class families are barely making ends meet, but the Assembly Majority is only concerned with the wages of convicted felons, rapists and murderers. With only 10 days left this session, these are not the priorities legislators should be focusing on.”