Elaine Marshall will also take a voluntary pay cut.
In a press release today, the secretary of state said she would ask that her annual salary be reduced by half a percent, in line with cuts proposed by Gov. Beverly Perdue.
"This is a significant step toward making hard choices to balance the State Budget," she said. "It affects all of us, including myself. I have taken the steps necessary to ensure the pay reduction applies to me as well."
Under state law, Perdue does not have the authority to reduce the pay of Council of State members such as Marshall.
Schools Superintendent June Atkinson and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker have also volunteered for a pay cut.
Update: Marshall and Atkinson's pay cuts are worth about $616 a year.
Second Update: Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin has also volunteered.
"Balancing our state’s budget will not be an easy task, and I certainly want to do my part in supporting my employees at the Department of Insurance and this portion of the state budget solution," he said in a statement.
Third Update: A spokeswoman for the governor says that all of the members of the Council of State and elected judges will take the cut.
Comments
Re: Marshall volunteers for pay cut
May 5, 2009 - 12:32pm — englewoodThe furlough only covers this fiscal year. Thus, the $250 average cut to which Taxpayer2008 refers is not spread out over the course of the year- It's spread over the course of two months.
A $125 pay cut per month is a whole lot better than losing your job as many in the private sector have done, but it's still a bit of a bite for many state employees.
Re: Marshall volunteers for pay cut
May 5, 2009 - 11:04am — Taxpayer2008They should all do it, as a show of support. Look at all the whining from the rank-n-file state employees who will take an even less paycut.
If $616 is insignificant where does that leave a cut of $313 some state employee takes?
Tha average cut is around $250. Big deal.
Re: Marshall volunteers for pay cut
May 5, 2009 - 10:57am — mayberry_lady1For some reason this just doesn't make me say "Oh, WOW, what a sacrifice!" Is this a political 'show' to make the state employees happy to make a sacrifice too? Somehow I don't think state employees make as much as these elected officials.....nor have the financial backing they do either. Sure sounds like an empty sacrifice to me. I didn't like Perdue before she was elected, and I've seen nothing to change my mind. When is the next election? Can this state survive until then?
Re: Marshall volunteers for pay cut
May 5, 2009 - 10:39am — queen41Oh Boy- what a sacrifice!!
Re: Marshall volunteers for pay cut
May 5, 2009 - 10:36am — ConMaxMarshall and Atkinson's pay cuts are worth about $616 a year.* N&O Story
WOW! Now that is really cutting the Fat out of State Government! By the year 2200 after the earth is gone, The budget just might be balance....Reality is not a strong point with these elected officals
Re: Marshall volunteers for pay cut
May 5, 2009 - 10:20am — englewoodThe Gov's executive order only covers the remainder of the fiscal year, not the calendar year. As a result, the bite for the remainder of the fiscal year (ie., June's paycheck)would be much higher, would it not?
Of course, this is only State Employee Furlough Round 1.
Half a percent?
May 5, 2009 - 10:05am — James_ProtzmanThat's what all this big fuss is about? Perdue's gonna shake loose less than ten grand with all this posturing? Oh the sacrifice! She should be demanding at least 10% from top-paid executives.
Re: Marshall volunteers for pay cut
May 5, 2009 - 9:33am — ryanteaguebeckwith (author)In the 2008-09 budget, members of the Council of State other than the governor are paid $123,198 a year.
Half a percent of that is $616.
— RTB
Re: Marshall volunteers for pay cut
May 5, 2009 - 9:26am — j1c2kpHow much does half a percent equal with her pay?