A citizen panel is recommending raises for Missouri elected officials.
The Citizens' Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials this month released a report calling for 8 percent raises in both fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for the governor and other statewide elected officials.
The panel also recommended raises of roughly 2 percent for lawmakers in both fiscal years.
The raises would cost the state about $470,000 over both fiscal years. Incoming Republican Gov.-elect Eric Greitens would get a raise of more than $22,000.
In Missouri, raises for elected officials are determined by the independent panel. But the Legislature has the power to block pay hikes.
The Legislature in 2015 rejected an identical pay-hike proposal for statewide officials. If lawmakers don't block the raises by Feb. 1, they'll take effect.