Brummett defends the new lottery director’s $324,000 pay (and don’t forget the $105,000 or so he can now start drawing in South Carolina retirement as an added incentive) because it’s a small amount against lottery revenues.
True, but it’s still important as we go forward to look at expenditures against other states both as a percentage of revenue and in pay for comparable jobs. Overall administrative costs in South Carolina seemed to be low as percentage of revenues, which is a hopeful sign for us, though executive pay was above average according to a couple of audits. Would we say Richard Weiss should make $400,000 a year since it’s but a tiny portion of the billions he manages at DF&A?
And, when the Arkansas lottery is up and running on a par with other states, may we then CUT the top guy’s pay since he or his successor no longer faces startup pressure? Don’t hold your breath.