Legislation ties 2006 pay increase to that of state employees in 2005 By TOM HUMPHREY, tomhumphrey3@aol.com May 21, 2004 NASHVILLE - In rapid-fire votes, the House and Senate on Thursday approved a bill to raise legislator salaries and expense allowances while leaving other issues - including a $24 billion state budget - to await action today. The increase in basic legislator salary, which has stood at $16,500 per year since 1985, will not take effect until 2006 under the bill. Legislators elected that year will then receive whatever percentage pay raise is given to state employees in 2005. The best...