In Alaska there are few "quality" candidates, regardless of pay.  In general, Alaska legislators are paid very well for the level of knowledge (minimal), competence (barely discernible), amount (negligible) and quality (inferior) of the work they do. I'd like to see them get a job outside of state government that pays them what they make as legislators. They couldn't do it in the private sector, where employers demand year-round competency and tangible results for what they pay.