Rep. Pat Hurley threw a curve to House budget writers Tuesday when she sought to cut the salaries of top state lottery officials, particularly that of Executive Director Tom Shaheen, who makes $246,000 a year.
"There are four people who make more money than our governor, and I think we should look at this," said Hurley, an Asheboro Republican, during a budget committee meeting.
Gov. Mike Easley makes $135,854 a year. Executive deputies Lou Ann Russell, Robin Diehl and Alice Garland are each paid between $142,120 and $144,120.
Hurley also found it unfair that state employees are looking at a raise that's far less than the 5 percent increase the Lottery Commission approved for staff.
House leaders sought to discourage her amendment. House Rules Chairman Bill Owens, an Elizabeth City Democrat, said if the amendment passed, Shaheen would be leaving for another state offering a much more lucrative salary.
That's when Rep. Cary Allred, a barb-tongued Alamance County Republican, joined in. He took Hurley's side.
"When I voted for the lottery, I didn't mean for the director to be the winner of the lottery," Allred said. "And if he wants to leave then don't let the screen door hit you in the behind on the way out."
In the end, committee members agreed to order a study of state salaries.
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Re: Lawmaker wants to cut top lottery pay
I agree with Rep. Allred and hope he will help those of us in Wilson and other areas. If you think these salaries are ridiculous, look at ElectriCities of NC. Jesse Tilton makes a lot more than the Governor and has mismanaged us all into a rate increase. He makes $500,000. There is no way this guy should make more than Erskine Bowles or Mike Easley. He has given 16-20% raises to people. One of his closest chronies, Clay Norris, makes $240,000 after 60% in increases over the past 5 years. They have 10 lobbyists raking in $500,000 and there is no issue on the table. The other electric companies have far fewer. One is a pay off to an employee who left after a short period of time and the lobbyists have turned over 75% over the past five years, including Alice Garland being run off by Tilton.
How do you think local government employees feel with this mob making this much on the local government retirement system? And in Wilson we will have a whopping 15% rate increase. Why? Tilton did a bad refinance deal that cost us 3%, he has increased operational costs with his taste for the high life by 2% and the rest is legitimate fuel costs. Absurd. Poor people in eastern NC are now going to pay for this guy.
If you live out here come to the rate committee meeting June 27 in Rocky Mount at 10 am at the Braswell Library and be heard.