Not petty politics
Rick Martinez states in his Jan. 16 commentary that, “The outrage about McCrory’s raises isn’t really about money, it’s about petty politics.”
As a longtime, mid-level administrator in the state system, I make considerably less than the average annual salary of $121,000 that McCrory says is required to “make it at least where they can afford to live.” I was ecstatic to hear that our new governor has seen the light. I eagerly await my increase so I also can “afford to live.”
As a salaried employee, I, too, do not get paid overtime when emergencies require additional hours. I am subject to being called into action outside of normal work hours. I do not get summers off. I answer for the personal conduct of employees under my responsibility, most of whom I did not hire.
Martinez made all of these points to justify the Cabinet’s increases. When the majority of state employees have gone over four years with a cumulative increase of 1.2 percent, giving up to 11 percent increases to the Cabinet sends a clear message that there is a double standard at play. It may be politics, but it is definitely not petty.
Gregory E. Cain, Raleigh
