Maine pays its chiefs pretty well > Magazine ranks McKernan 17th

AUGUSTA — Maine may be one of the poorest states, but its governor is paid more than two-thirds of the nation’s other state chief executives, according to Money magazine.

The magazine says Gov. John R. McKernan’s $67,308 annual salary, plus a $30,000 expense account that is not audited, place him as the 17th highest paid governor.

In addition, numerous perks go along with the governorship. They include:

Free room and board at the Blaine House, which has a $289,000 budget that finances a six-person staff and other expenses ranging from a $19,000 food budget to $352 for cable television service.

The use of a new car leased at a cost of $5,475. The state pays the cost of maintaining the car, although the governor pays taxes on personal travel in the vehicle.

A six-man state police security detail, which last year cost $409,500. The sergeant and five detectives provide around-the-clock protection and drive the governor’s car.

Special retirement benefits that provide three-eighths of the current governor’s pay when a former governor turns 60. The amount is fixed for life and is paid to surviving spouses as well.

McKernan’s press secretary, Cory Tilley, said the Blaine House should not be counted as a benefit of the governorship because much of the old house next door to the State House is regularly used by the public.

“From the governor’s point of view, the Blaine House is a public museum and the governor just happens to have an apartment in it. But it’s a public museum that needs to be kept up,” Tilley said.

Tilley also noted that McKernan has cut back the Blaine House staff from six full-time positions to four full-time and two part-time positions. State finance officials said the Blaine House turned back $18,000 from its budget last year.