AG's Opinion: Ark. Leaders Can't Reject Pay Raise

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A state attorney general's opinion says constitutional officers can't turn down salary increases that have been approved by the Arkansas Legislature.

Gov. Mike Beebe declined his 3.85 percent pay increase in January, saying that he didn't want a raise during a recession. Lawmakers later reduced the pay increase to 3.3 percent, but Beebe said he'd decline that as well.

An attorney general's opinion issued Monday says that the state must issue the salaries that are approved by lawmakers. But the opinion, requested by state Auditor Jim Wood, says there are no prohibitions against a constitutional officer returning his or her salary to the state Treasury after it's paid out.