Topeka ? With six children and a one-person business, state Rep. Ty Masterson said he is taking a financial hit by serving in the Legislature.

That’s why he inserted in a state budget proposal language that would give many Kansas lawmakers a pay raise – up to the federal poverty level.

“When I took office, I sorely underestimated the amount of time it would take to be a good legislator,” Masterson, R-Andover, said Thursday.

Masterson’s amendment approved by the House Appropriations Committee would track legislative pay to the federal poverty guidelines, which are based on the number of people in a household.

For Masterson, his wife and six children, the federal poverty limit is $34,570.

Kansas legislators get $84.80 per day when they are in session, plus $99 per day for expenses. That adds up to about $17,000 per session in salary and expenses. Lawmakers in leadership positions get additional pay.

Of course, being a legislator in Kansas is supposed to be a part-time job – the session lasts from January through April. And many legislators have talked about the importance of preserving the citizen Legislature.

But many other lawmakers say that with the annual session, interim committee assignments and constituent services, the job is full-time and then some.

Because of that, Masterson, who is in the construction business, said the Legislature is over-represented by mostly wealthy or retired people.

Masterson said he expects his amendment to fail because legislative pay is such a sensitive subject, but he thinks lawmakers and voters should discuss the issue.

“You get what you pay for,” he said.

Sen. Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said Masterson’s proposal has no chance of passing.

“There are too many other important budget issues before us,” Umbarger said.