Thursday,
May 05, 2005
Contact: Ben Beakes
For Immediate Release
304-558-6000 or 304-546-6759
Charleston, W.Va.: Secretary of State Betty Ireland is thankful that Governor Manchin has publicly stated that he wants to take the pay raises for the members of the Board of Public Works out of the judicial pay raise bill.
“I was concerned the Governor might sign into law pay raises for the members of the Board of Public Works and have made it no secret that I oppose that effort,” Ireland said. “However, I am thankful the Governor is committed to looking into legislation that would eliminate pay raises for the executive officials, including myself, and urge him to do so.”
Secretary Ireland is opposed to pay raises for the members of the Board of Public Works. Her concern revolves around the effects pay raises will have on the state’s pension system. “What people may not understand is that with an increase in salary comes a significant boost in the annual pension benefits,” Ireland said.
“I have been in the pension and benefit business for over 25 years,” Ireland said. “If the current occupants of the Board of Public Works were to be reelected, their individual pensions would increase significantly. This is what happens when a 26 percent increase in salary is granted in the final years of employment. I am not sure West Virginia wants to go down that road given our current financial state.”
Secretary Ireland will assist the Governor in his effort in any way she can. “The Governor and I have a great working relationship and this is no different,” Ireland said. “I offer my assistance to Governor Manchin and am hopeful we can continue our cooperative efforts.”
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