Gov. Mark Dayton and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea on Friday named the members of the newly created Legislative Salary Council, which is tasked with determining the salaries of state lawmakers.

On Election Day, 76 percent of voters supported a constitutional amendment that removes legislators' ability to set their own pay and created a new citizen panel to sort out the salaries.

Dayton and Gildea each selected eight members comprising an equal number of DFLers and Republicans and coming from each Congressional District.

"They are all very distinguished citizens, who represent well the political and geographical diversity of Minnesota," Dayton said in a statement.

The group will set legislators' salaries by March 31 of each odd-numbered year — starting in 2017 — and any changes will take effect on July 1 of the same year.

If the council opts to give lawmakers a raise, it will be their first since 1999, when annual salaries were set at $31,140.

The chairman of the first meeting, as designated by Dayton, will be Thomas Stinson of Roseville; the council will then elect a chair at the inaugural meeting. Stinson retired in 2013 after decades as Minnesota's state economist.

Other Dayton appointees: Joseph Boyle, International Falls; Patrice Hannan, Minneapolis; David Metzen, Mendota Heights; Sherrie Pugh, Mound; Stinson; Randy Twistol, Thief River Falls; Marsha Van Denburgh, Oak Grove; Laura Witty, St. Peter.

Gildea appointees: Diana Burlison, Sauk Rapids; William Donohue, St. Paul; Gregory Fox, Duluth; James Joy, Hawley; Charles J. McElroy, Minneapolis; Gloria Myre, Apple Valley; Deborah Olson, Eden Prairie; Kenneth Wilmes, Mankato.

J. Patrick Coolican • 651-925-5042