(Alaska) Commission proposes 40% pay increase for the governor

[brooklynite]

Source: Anchorage Daily News

Gov. Sean Parnell has been silent so far on a compensation commission proposal to boost his pay by $50,000. At a hearing Tuesday, so was most of Alaska. Just three people showed up to testify before the Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission on its preliminary recommendation to boost the governor's salary from $125,000 to $175,000 and the lieutenant governor's salary from $100,000 to $135,000.

Alaska ranks 27th in pay for governor, according to the Council of State Governments, just below Florida, Iowa and Louisiana, and just ahead of Mississippi and Minnesota. A 40 percent increase would make it fourth highest, tied with New Jersey and Virginia.

Larry Teague of Eagle River called that unjustified.

"Alaska is not in the top 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. states in population, budget, number of employees," he said. "It is not even in the top 50 percent. So why the governor should have his pay in that percentile bracket is beyond me."

Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/12/07/1591981/commission-to-take-comments-on.html

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Maybe the theory is that, without a higher salary, Alaska can't attract qualified applicants?

[LibertyLover]

1. They better be careful -

the proposed new salary is darn good money and might even entice Sarah P. back to run for governor again.

[Crowman1979]

2. A teabagger wants to increase his socialist government pay?!?!?

What hypocrites! :eyes:

[valerief]

3. What social service will he cancel to cover his pay raise? nt

[Luciferous]

4. Seems excessive to me...

[indimuse]

5. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NT

[Bandit]

6. Only three people showed up at the hearing on this matter

Their reasoning is many commissioners make more money than their boss (the Governor) so instead of thinking maybe they are paid too much they chose instead to raise the Governor's pay. Fifty thousand dollars was the number first mentioned but now they are saying it could be less or nothing at all, but then again the State Legislature (which is completely Republican controlled) could override any decision by this committee.

[and-justice-for-all]

7. How absurd...nt

[Adsos Letter]

8. The Grifter-in-Heels planning a comeback?