WARWICK, RI – Today, Ashley Kalus, the Republican nominee for Governor of Rhode Island, released the below statement following Dan McKee’s announcement that he intends to give members of his cabinet up to a forty-three percent (43%) raise.
Kalus said, “The degree to which Dan McKee is tone-deaf never ceases to amaze Rhode Islanders. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Americans are currently living paycheck to paycheck, and McKee decides to give members of his cabinet, who are already making six figures, significant raises – nearly double the salary for some. If McKee were to be elected, this would cost the taxpayers of Rhode Island over three and a half million dollars ($3,500,000) in salaries alone. This is just the latest in a pattern of the governor using taxpayer dollars to shore up support as Election Day approaches. Enough is enough. It’s time to end the handouts to insiders.”
Under the rules surrounding cabinet-level pay increases, the increases will automatically take effect 30 days after the administration sends them to the General Assembly, unless the lawmakers say no.
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State Health Director: $140,000 –> $200,000 (+$60,000)
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Director of DCYF: $135,000 –> $190,000 (+$55,000)
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Director of Department of Revenue: $135,000 –> $180,000 (+$45,000)
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Director of Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals: $135,000 –> $180,000 (+$45,000)
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Head of State Police: $155,000 –> $195,000 (+$40,000)
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Secretary of Health and Human Services: $155,000 –> $190,000 (+$35,000)
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Director of Department of Transportation: $155,000 –> $190,000 (+$35,000)
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Director of Administration: $155,000 –> $185,000 (+$30,000)
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Director of Department of Environmental Management: $135,000 –> $165,000 (+$30,000)
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Director of Department of Business Regulation: $135,000 –> $165,000 (+$30,000)
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Director of Department of Human Services: $135,000 –> $160,000 (+$25,000)
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Director of Department of Labor and Training: $155,000 –> $170,000 (+$15,000)