Palin didn't seek, doesn't want pay raise

In these times, everyone from the political scene to the business world is trying to get a bigger piece of the pie - sometimes illegally. Take Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, for example. He was busted for trying to sell a Senate seat. He tried to shake down a Children's Hospital. The "Big Three" auto makers in the US want taxpayer's money to keep them in business. CEOs take bonuses in the millions for themselves that could have gone to their employees down the ladder. Even last week, a report came out stating the income of each of the NPR radio hosts is in $200,000-$300,000 range.

Contrast that with Palin who, astoundingly, is refusing a 20% pay raise. Take the Presidential election out of it for a minute - she had an 80% approval rating in Alaska, is currently the 24th lowest paid Governor in the US (making $125,000) and has accomplished many, many important things during her first term. By all accounts, she deserves this raise. She earned it.

This kind of gets back at all the people who won't shut up about Palin's wardrobe during the campaign - that she didn't even ask for or want.

Palin is definitely someone who walks the walk. She is an honest politician. It's almost unbelievable that anyone who achieved the success she has and accomplished what she has would refuse a pay raise. She has five children - I believe anyone with children would gladly take any raise, but she knows her family has what they need and will not accept any more. Her income is provided by the taxpayers of Alaska. She would rather have that money go to the state in some way. She really is their public servant.

Palin didn't seek, doesn't want pay raise
20 PERCENT: Spokesman says governor feels increase in middle of her term isn't appropriate.
By KYLE HOPKINS khopkins@adn.com
Published: December 17th, 2008 11:05 PM Last Modified: December 17th, 2008 07:50 AM

Gov. Sarah Palin didn't ask for a pay raise and won't accept one during her current term, a spokesman said Wednesday.

A new state commission appointed by Palin recommends boosting the governor's pay from $125,000 to $150,000. The State Officers Compensation Commission says the lieutenant governor, department heads and legislators need more money too.

But if the commission pushes ahead with a pay raise, Palin won't accept the money, said spokesman Bill McAllister.

"Her view is, it's just not appropriate to accept a pay raise in the middle of the term."

Palin's term ends in 2010.

The Legislature created the five-member commission this year to decide how much top state officials should be paid. Two members are recommended by legislative leaders.

The group announced its early suggestions this week and plans to hear from the public at 9 a.m. today at Legislative Information Offices around the state.

Palin makes 46 percent more than her predecessor, Frank Murkowski. She's also the 24th-lowest paid governor, according to the commission's numbers.

"We were all a little surprised by the preliminary recommendations," McAllister said of the suggested 20 percent raise for the governor. "We didn't know that was coming."

It's unclear if Palin would give the money to charity -- as commission chairman Rick Halford predicted Tuesday -- or simply not receive the extra pay.

Also Wednesday, Palin's team had been expected to unveil an energy plan that would tally energy costs and the cost of potential energy projects in towns and villages across the state. Instead,
the plan has been delayed until next month.

"It's a huge, huge body of information that is simply being put into final form," said Karsten Rodvik, spokesman for the Alaska Energy Authority. "And it takes some time and some level of communication and work between our office, and the governor's office to pull it all together and pick a date and make it happen."

Find Kyle Hopkins online at adn.com/contact/khopkins or call him at 257-4334.