The Plenary of the House of Representatives is reviewing a proposal seeking an increment in salaries and benefits for political, administrative, and secretariat staffers, as well as the creation of additional support positions within lawmakersโ offices.
The decision stems from a communication from Maryland County Electoral District #2 Representative, Hon. Anthony Williams, reminding his colleagues of his earlier submission calling for improved welfare and expanded staffing capacity to enhance legislative efficiency.
Hon. Williams noted that the proposal aims to strengthen office operations through the inclusion of Youth, Women, Religious, and Disabled Coordinators, while addressing the growing workload and responsibilities of legislative staffers who continue to serve under limited financial conditions.
Following deliberations, plenary forwarded the communication to the Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance for review and appropriate recommendations.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is also reviewing a communication from Grand Bassa County Electoral District #3 Representative, Hon. Matthew Joe, seeking an increment in the draft national budget allocation for Grand Bassa University.
Following plenary deliberations, lawmakers voted to forward the request to the Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance for review and recommendation.
In his communication, Hon. Joe noted that the Executiveโs 2026 Draft Budget Proposal, totaling approximately US$1.21 billion, allots US$871,802 to Grand Bassa Universityโthe same amount appropriated in the 2025 fiscal year budget.
He reminded his colleagues that Grand Bassa University, formerly a community college established in 2008, was elevated to university status in 2021 through an Act of the Legislature, making it a bachelorโs degree-granting institution similar to Lofa and Nimba Universities.
Hon. Joe emphasized that while Lofa University receives US$2 million, Nimba University US$1.8 million, and Bong Technical College US$1.5 million, Grand Bassa University remains underfunded despite serving a comparable academic purpose.
He added that an increased budget would help address faculty compensation, improve campus facilities, and enhance information technology infrastructureโcritical components for advancing the universityโs learning environment and academic excellence.
The Grand Bassa lawmaker also appealed to his colleagues to consider budgetary increments for all county-based universities, community, and technical colleges receiving less than one million dollars, including Pleebo Technical College, River Gee Technical College, Sinoe Community College, Harbel Community College, and Grand Gedeh Community College.
The Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance is expected to review the request as the budget is before the Committee.
