Gov. Dan McKee is seeking raises for dozens of Cabinet members, including the state health director and secretary of Health and Human Services with the biggest pay increases.
The proposed salary increase is Public hearing on Tuesday, March 19th According to state law, provide screening It is approved by State Department leadership in March of each year and then by Congress.
The pay increase comes as the state prepares for the interim health director to step down with no replacement in sight.
Dr. Utpala Bandi, who has been serving as Interim Director of Health since June 2023, said: He submitted his intention to resign on March 31st. His resignation is the latest in a series of personnel changes at the Rhode Island Department of Health, which has been without a permanent director since early 2022. Health officials and advocates blame the turnover and retention on uncompetitive pay compared to private employers and other states.
McKee's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday to explain his proposed pay increase and the search for the state health director.
McKee proposed a 42% pay increase for the state health director, increasing the current annual salary of $175,383 to $250,000 a year. In his supplementary budget for fiscal year 2024, McKee also called for the health director's salary to be exempted from parliamentary approval for this fiscal year, allowing him to set his salary unilaterally.
The salaries of the other 11 Cabinet members recommended for raises are all subject to review by the Rhode Island General Assembly, which has 30 days to reject the proposed raises, which would otherwise take effect automatically.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services will receive a 23.4% salary increase from $182,684 to $238,597. Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Charest was promoted to head the $3.6 billion agency in May 2023. Meanwhile, Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner, who was selected to head the Economic Development Authority in 2022, will receive a 6.2% raise from $224,653 to $238,597. .
Nine more positions will receive 3% raises, including embattled state Transportation Commissioner Peter Alviti and other troubled commissioners. Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospital Departments. The Rhode Island State Senate is scheduled to vote Thursday afternoon to confirm McKee's nominee, Richard Leclerc, as the next BHDDH director. As proposed, Leclerc's salary would jump $5,101 to $175,344.
Mr. Alviti, whose leadership at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has come under increasing scrutiny following the December emergency closure of I-195 westbound lanes on the Washington Bridge, will earn a base salary of $188,164. It is expected that the amount will be increased.
Other ministerial positions proposed for a 3% pay increase include directors of the Ministry of Public Administration; Department of Corrections; Department of Children, Youth and Families. Department of Environmental Management; Department of Labor and Training, Department of Revenue. and the Ministry of Public Security.
Neither the governor's office nor the state Department of Administration immediately responded to questions about the other cabinet positions excluded from the proposed raise.
The Department of Government will hold a public hearing on the proposed pay increase on Tuesday, March 19th at 1:00 p.m. at the William E. Powers Building in Providence. Remote access and participation via Zoom is also possible.
Get the morning headlines delivered to your inbox
