What you pay your AM

This blog predicted it.
Now the political row has erupted about the inflation-busting 8.3% pay rise for our AMs.

In May 1999, when the first Assembly was formed, a backbench AM received £34,438.
Now, in the third Assembly with its added law-making powers, that salary is £50,692, a rise of £16,254, or virtually 50%.
The number of Assembly posts on the enhanced pay-roll now numbers 35 compared to 27 in the second Assembly, although one Member might do two jobs, they only receive one additional salary - the highest.
Assembly commissioner William Graham argued that originally an AM's pay was in comparision with the deputy head of a medium secondary school.
Now it has risen from 76.5% of an MP's salary to 82%.
It reflects the additional role and responsibility now placed upon them, presiding officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas said.
But asked whether, as a consequence, MPs at Westminster should receive less money, he replied: "I hear, with interest, the suggestion. I don't think I should go there,really."
UPDATE: The views of one of the Assembly Commissioners who endorsed the recommended salary increases can be found here.
The salary increases in full:-
MP from £61,181 to £61,820;
AM from £46,804 to £50,692;
AM who is also an MP or MEP, receives an increased payment from £15,601 to £16,897;
First Minister: from £124,350 to £129,047;
Presiding officer, Welsh ministers: from £87,029 to £91,337;
Leader of the largest party without an executive role, deputy presiding officer, and deputy ministers: from £72,105 to £76,258;
Government chief whip (new payment): from £46,804 to £76,258;
Opposition chief whip (new payment): from £46,804 to £62,023;
Assembly commissioners (new payment): from £46,804 to £62,023;
Chairs of scrutiny committees, audit or finance committee: from £52,677 to £62,023;
Chairs of other committees (new payment): from £46,804 to £56,626;
Leader of opposition parties other than the largest (new payment): from £46,804 to £62,023.