Just One Massachusetts Constitutional Officer Won’t Take a Raise

New Massachusetts governor and former pro basketball star Maura Healey hadn't even settled her Converse All-Stars (assuming she wears them) under her desk before she received a $37,185 raise.

Not bad, considering many folks in New Bedford and Fall River don't make that much in a year.

Healey's salary jumped from a paltry $185,000 to $222,185 before she even took the oath of office – and that doesn't include her annual housing allowance and the other perks that come with the gig.

Healey isn't alone. All six Massachusetts constitutional officers received a 20.1 percent pay hike in December thanks to a controversial 2017 law that links their salaries to state wages over the previous eight quarters.

Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll's pay shot up to $198,165 from $165,000. State Treasurer Deb Goldberg's $189,560 salary is now $227,662. The new Attorney General, Andrea Campbell, will be paid $222,639, and State Auditor Diana DiZoglio will make $229,377.

Secretary of State William Galvin is the only Massachusetts constitutional officer to refuse the 20.1 percent pay increase – at least for now.

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Galvin spokesperson Debra O'Malley told State House News Service, "No, not at this time," when asked if the secretary would take the additional compensation.

It's worth noting that former Governor Charlie Baker declined pay raises in his first term but accepted them in his second term.

Let's not forget that the constitutional officers are not the only ones getting raises this year. Members of the House and Senate will receive raises of at least 4.4 percent this year, and legislative staffers have also been given a boost in pay.