Utah senators voted Wednesday to cap their daily salary at $117 -- continuing a 10 percent reduction from last year as a budget-cutting measure -- though several said they hope for a raise when revenues improve.

Lawmakers said they would continue the cut, though they believe their level of pay discourages qualified people from running for office.

"When somebody calls you and says you never cut your budget, you never do anything ... all you do is go to Jazz games -- those of you that have been here know that's certainly not true," said Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan.

He noted that lawmakers are paid only for the session and official meeting days in the interim.

Hillyard introduced a substitute version of HB287. It passed 26-2, meaning it goes back to the House.

His bill leaves untouched the Legislature's per diem cost reimbursements, though he said lawmakers will study that issue and come back next January with recommendations to make those payments more fair. As it is, lawmakers who live within 50 miles of the Capitol and commute from home get the same amount as those who must pay for hotels, although they pay taxes on it while those who travel farther don't.

Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, voted for the bill but said a legislative salary, per diem and mileage of about $15,000 a year for the days that lawmakers meet isn't enough.

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, agreed and said it diminishes the pool of candidates.

"Half the population don't even sign up because they can't make ends meet," Buttars said. "It's wrong. It's really wrong that a person who would like to run for the Legislature ... just can't take 45 days and make what we make. You're really cheating the people."