 Republican House Speaker Kurt Dout is instructing House staff not to issue the $14,000 salary increases recently approved by Independent Body. Minnesota voters set the 45% raise in motion in November by overwhelmingly approving a constitutional amendment to create a legislative salary council. That body decided last week to increase lawmakers pay from $31,000 to $45,000 annually. It would be the legislature's first raise in nearly two decades, though lawmakers no longer have the power to set their own salary, many are still clearly worried about backlash from voters. Dout directed the House's financial controller Thursday not to implement the higher salaries come July. His decision raises major questions if the legislature can block pay raises that are now part of the state's constitution. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.