Even though it’s the offseason, Kansas Rep. Rui Xu says being a legislator is a full-time job.
Over the course of a week, on top of his part-time gig as a freelance marketer, the Democrat spends 20 to 30 hours meeting with constituents in Johnson County, going to events, working on legislation or helping city council candidates run for office.
Xu isn’t paid for that work. Like every other member of the Kansas Legislature,
he only draws a salary from the state during the legislative session, from about January to May. This year, his first in office, he got $19,300.
The typical Kansas legislator makes about $21,900 during session, according to a report from the legislature’s audit division. That’s
less than what lawmakers make in many other states. Oklahoma and Missouri pay more than $35,000 a year, plus living expenses.