14 February 2007

So, How Much Ya Make?

When Fanny Seiler still wielded a pen at the state Capitol, a recurring feature of her newspaper column was public salaries. Seiler would list the pay of top officials and even entire offices within state government, with a particular focus on raises.

And just as routinely, this feature drove Statehouse folks up a wall. Phil Kabler has continued that tradition, albeit to a limited extent.

Now, state Auditor Glen Gainer has one-upped them all, and in a major way: he has posted online the 2006 gross compensation of pretty much everyone in West Virginia's employ.

There are 65,594 names listed, in a whopping 1,223-page report. As one might expect, West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriquez has the highest pay listed, at $1.23 million (this was before the scare involving Alabama's coach hunt). WVU hoops coach John Beilein follows, at $848,983.

One Brenda Turner rounds out the roster, having received 1 cent (As a colleague put it, she must work for DHHR...). A reader correctly notes that the list reflects W2 filings, and so would cover wages as well as overtime, bonuses, etc.

All told, 640 people are listed with six-figure compensation (or better, in the case of coach Rodriguez). The payroll totals $1,454,644,764.24.

The Associated Press has a story. Public Broadcasting's Scott Finn was the first to report on Gainer's mega-list, and also offers audio.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

To paraphrase Babe Ruth, Brenda didn't have as good a season

Anonymous said...

Need to also be aware that these are not regular "annual" salaries listed, but these are W2 Earnings for 2006. So, this will include all income, including salary, overtime, increment pay, etc.

Anonymous said...

Coach Rod for Governor!!!!

Ron's Thots said...

Thanks for linking to the State Payrool list on your blog. I have found it very interesting.