Maryland GOP Calls for Full Disclosure of Executive Pay
ANNAPOLIS— Following up on a Washington Times report that Governor Martin O’Malley approved over $600,000 in pay raises for his top aides, the Times has now uncovered that O’Malley has created a new pay grade to give higher salaries to staff who were capped out from earning more. At the same time these pay raises have come to light, O’Malley is pushing for legislation that would repeal his obligation to report this information to the Department of Legislative Services.
The Washington Times is reporting that Governor O’Malley has created a new pay grade, EX91, which will pay four of his employees as much as $235,000. High-ranking employees were previously capped out at $159,632. Among those employees is Public Service Commission Chairman Steven Larsen, who will receive a pay raise from $118,280 to $188,700 under the new pay scale. According to the Washington Times, O’Malley had already exceeded the pay cap for three of the four employees in question. O’Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese stated that “[t]he creation of the new scale allows for more transparent and open reporting.”
At the same time O’Malley’s spokesperson is saying they are acting to make pay scales more transparent, the O’Malley administration is advocating to make executive pay kept secret. Last month, Budget Secretary T. Eloise Foster testified in favor of Senate Bill 349/House Bill 458, which would repeal current law that requires the Secretary of Budget and Management to submit to the Department of Legislative Services on a yearly basis a list of the position, pay grade, step, and pay rate of each employee in the Executive Pay Plan. By a vote of 46-0, the Senate passed an amended version of SB349 that would actually keep the law in place and require quarterly reports from the administration, above and beyond the current annual reports.
Dr. Jim Pelura, Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, released the following statement:
“Each day, Martin O’Malley figures out a new way to offend our senses. He has not only given astronomical raises to his top aides while state employees get the shaft, but we now learn that he has created a new pay scale as a way around pay caps. To top it off, he is supporting a repeal of a law that requires him to report these executive salaries to the Department of Legislative Services, where members of the public can keep tabs on their government.
“The Maryland Republican Party opposes a repeal of these reporting requirements by the governor, especially in light of this governor’s zeal for giving major pay hikes at the same time he hikes up taxes. Marylanders have had enough of government operating in the shadows, and the Maryland Republican Party calls for the rejection of the original versions of Senate Bill 349 and House Bill 458 and supports the amended versions of these bills that would create greater reporting requirements on a quarterly basis and the ability to better scrutinize our executive branch.”
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
10 comments:
This giving staff pay raises under the radar of the taxpayers is right out of the democrat play book.Remember Pollitt gave some his close staff pay increases above what was approved by his own county council.Isn't it amazing how democrats do not care how they spend other peoples money!
It's called PAY BACK!!!
O'Malley required an elaborate skeem to inflate the budget 1.7 billion and raise our taxes. Funny thing though, he is coming short some $300 Million, No kiddin... Also there is talk to propose an increase in property taxes, which will require it's own set of elaborate skeems. So he'll be dishing out "raises" for sometime yet.
honestaby
Don't you wonder if the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee had any prior knowledge of the Gov's scheme.
Why are the people elected to guard misuse of our tax dollars not raising "more h--- than a man on the wrong train," over this.
Don't bother I will tell you why cause they do not give a r---a-- about us unit it is election time.
You voted for the commie stop crying:]
Yayyyy!!!!! Republicons!!!
How about those raises make it over to the state education system. Salisbury University staff and Faculty are some of the lowest paid in the state
All of these while State Employees are not getting a raise nor and steps, or cost of living increases. I hear one of those execs that got a raise is the Superntendant of the state police. A 33k raise while the actual troopers got shafted.
I think these fine public officials should be paid as much as possible. It is hard to find honest, hard working, loyal individuals these days. The State should try to keep as many of them "on board" as possible.
Give the top dogs raises and take care of all the good ole folks in your click. The underdogs will sweat and work harder to make more tax money to satisfy the budget.Why is it that when good citizens get power, it goes to their head? They believe they are little gods.
Come on Maryland, lets do like California did, recall
the Govenor ASAP before we all go broke... I too would give a lot of money away if it didn't come out of my pocket, which is empty like the States pockets.
Young 80
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