Personnel Director Confirms Governor’s Salary Bump to $201K Under Disputed Pay Raise

Personnel Director Cindy Richardson on Wednesday confirmed that Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Lieutenant Gov. Tregenza Roach are now receiving the executive pay raises triggered by the recently submitted Public Officials Compensation Commission report — with salaries set at $201,692 and $176,642 respectively, retroactive to Jan. 13, 2025.

The confirmation came during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, where Sen. Marise James pressed Richardson to clarify the implementation.

“When you say implemented—does it mean they’re receiving the funds currently in their checks?” James asked.

“Correct,” Richardson responded, later affirming that neither official declined the raise.

Sen. Kurt Vialet brought the issue into sharper focus, pointing out discrepancies between the figures now reflected in official Notices of Personnel Action (NOPAs) and those previously disclosed. Richardson explained that the raises were applied in stages based on the commission’s August 2024 submission: a first-term jump from $150,000 to $192,088, followed by a 5 percent second-term increase that brings Bryan’s salary to $201,692. Roach’s salary rose from $168,231 to $176,642 under the same formula.

Vialet questioned the legal basis for implementing the raises mid-term, referencing the enabling legislation that says recommendations from the Compensation Commission are to take effect only after the “next general election.”

“But I guess the courts will figure it out as we go along,” he said.