Serving the community since 1926
WEEK OF JUNE 22, 2023
VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 31
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Lawmakers’ pay influences debates and votes on bills BY JESSE PAUL AND ELLIOTT WENZLER THE COLORADO SUN
Hazel Miller photographed at a recent performance.
COURTESY HAZEL MILLER
The incomparable Hazel Miller, in her own words Looking back on the Hall of Fame career of Colorado’s high priestess of singing BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Since she was in third grade, Hazel Miller — and more than likely, those around her — knew that she would be a singer. The legendary Colorado vocalist and
resident of Arvada was inducted into the state’s Music Hall of Fame on June 10, capping an exceptional career that has taken Miller around the world and earned her a place in the hearts of thousands. Miller, the fifth of seven children, was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Her mother and father were guarded-yet-exceptional singers in their own rights. When Miller was in third grade, a priest at her school named Samuel Viani asked her to join the eighth graders for a Christmas song — a prospect
that, to Miller’s knowledge, had never been done. Even at an early age, Miller’s talent was undeniable. “After that, I knew,” Miller said. “When you’re the fifth of seven children, you’re Joanne’s sister, you’re Carol’s sister, you’re Eddie’s sister — all of a sudden, everyone knew my name. I told my mother I was going to be a singer. She said ‘OK, as long as you go to school.’” That she did. Things were lean in the Miller household, but the SEE HAZEL MILLER, P4
CALENDAR: 11 | VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 14
The 100 state lawmakers in Colorado earn about $42,000 a year for their work at the Capitol, placing them in the middle of the pack compared to their counterparts across the U.S. when it comes to how much they’re paid to draft, debate and vote on bills. That influences who runs to be a state representative or senator, which in turn determines which legislation passes or fails. A Colorado Sun analysis of state lawmaker salaries compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures places Colorado 19th on the salary list. Colorado legislators earn more than counterparts in any bordering state except Oklahoma. State senators whose terms began before January earn a salary of $41,449. Senators whose terms began in January, as well as all House members, make $43,977. The salaries are set at 25% of a county judge’s salary, which through 2026 is $175,908. Salaries for state lawmakers, as well as state-level statewide elected officials, are recalculated every four years based on changes to judicial officers’ salaries. Colorado lawmakers who live within 50 miles of the Capitol — a large portion, if not the majority, of the legislature — are also eligible to receive a per diem of $45 for each of the 120 days the General Assembly is in session each year, which adds up to $5,400. Those who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol are entitled to about $237 per legislative day, which totals $28,440. SEE LEGISLATURE, P2
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