Vermont’s state auditor is the only statewide elected official who isn’t agreeing to a voluntary 5 percent pay cut.
Governor Jim Douglas called for the reduction late last year for non-union state workers and elected officials making more than $60,000 a year, in hopes of saving $500,000. All accepted it, except State Auditor Thomas Salmon.
Salmon is a U.S. Navy reservist serving in Iraq. He declined the pay cut but donated 5 percent of his salary to two community action agencies.
Salmon makes about $95,000 a year as auditor. He called the pay cut a gimmick and said he has declined a scheduled pay raise.