Many State Troopers Who Work at Boston's Logan Airport,Make More Money Than the Governor

The Boston Globe reports on the special class:

Of the 320 troopers permanently assigned to Logan and the turnpike, at least 185 -- or 58 percent -- made more last year than the $140,535 governor's salary and at least 37 topped $200,000 in earnings, according to a Globe analysis of payroll information obtained under the state public records law.

Of the state's 2,338 other troopers, 225, or about 10 percent of the total force, made more than the governor last year.

Michael J. Widmer , president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a nonpartisan state budget watchdog group, said he is outraged by what the details, overtime, and educational bonuses are costing Massachusetts, especially given the increases in property taxes and shortage of police officers on the streets.

"These numbers are just staggering," Widmer said. "You have 351 cities and towns, the authorities, and utilities, so the costs are spread throughout so many different entities. The bottom-line number is hidden, but huge. . . . If it were in one place it might have sufficient shock value to create some political momentum."

Governor Deval Patrick declined to comment through a spokeswoman on whether he plans to try to rein in State Police pay. However, in response to criticism after the Globe reported last month that 225 troopers on the regular force made more than the governor last year, largely because of construction details, Patrick said reforming the practice was "not at the top of my list, to be perfectly candid."

Nice scam here.Contribute money to the Governor and get overpaid.Your tax increase is their pay raise.