Board of Elections proposes a raise for its members

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The state Board of Elections is proposing to give its commissioners a raise next year.

The Providence Journal reports (https://bit.ly/2dfepq5 ) that the seven-member board has proposed doubling stipends from $7,000 a year to $15,429, which is what lawmakers in the General Assembly make.

The proposal is in a budget request to the governor’s office. It would have to be approved by state lawmakers as part of next year’s budget.

Commissioner Stephen Erickson says it’s a way to recruit qualified people for the board that oversees elections in the state. He says tying the stipend to legislative pay ends the annual debate over whether members should get a raise.

Only some board members would benefit from the raise because commissioners who collect a state pension are ineligible for the stipend.