A citizens panel has recommended pay raises for Missouri elected officials. The Legislature will consider the recommendations. The Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials has called for 8 percent raises in both fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for the governor and other statewide elected officials. The panel also recommended raises of about 2 percent for lawmakers in both fiscal years. House and Senate members make about $36,000 a year.The governor now is paid $133,821 a year. An 8 percent raise in 2018 would be $10,705 and the same rate hike in 2019 would add $11,562. That would raise the governor’s pay to $156,089. Considering the governor’s responsibilities, that amount can be justified.The lieutenant governor’s salary is $86,484. With raises of 8 percent in each of the two years he would be paid $100,875 a year.The secretary of state, auditor and treasurer each make $107,746 a year. With the recommended pay hikes, each would be paid $125,675 a year.The attorney general makes $116,437 a year. With the panel’s recommendation, the salary would be $135,812.The raises would cost the state about $470,000 over both fiscal years. Raises for elected officials in Missouri are determined by the independent panel. The Legislature does have the power to block pay hikes.The Legislature in 2015 rejected an identical pay-hike proposal for statewide officials. If lawmakers don’t block the raises by Feb. 1, they will take effect.Some state pay hikes can be justified. The recommended rates undoubtedly will be debated. We don’t think the panel’s recommendations are out of line in today’s economic world.