Delaware’s top elected and appointed officials could get a pay raise next year.
Since the mid-1980s, a state commission has met every four years to set salaries for the governor, his or her cabinet members, state lawmakers and the judicial branch.
Legislators have the power to accept or reject the recommendations, but haven’t embraced any report since 2005.
Lawmakers are facing a budget hole of at least $160 million next year. That could be a factor in making this year the twelfth year these officials go without a significant raise.
Commission chair Michael Ratchford says it might be time to give out some raises, though he wants more information first.
“I think there’s probably some positions that do need an adjustment. We did see some positions that were below the median. I think there were also some positions there that have had increased responsibilities that are key to the State of Delaware,” Ratchford said.
The 2013 proposal would have given pay hikes for a handful of cabinet secretaries and across-the-board raises for top judges, but the House and Senate nearly unanimously rejected the report.
Ratchford says you have to have competitive pay to attract top talent.
“Having good people – the best people – serving in those top positions is really a cost savings for the State of Delaware. The better the people, the better the cabinet secretary, the better results and that’s what service in state government is all about,” he said.
A formal proposal will be sent to the General Assembly in January. They’ll have 30 days to accept or reject it.