PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Gov. Dan McKee is proposing significant pay bumps for nearly a dozen of his cabinet directors, including R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti. The proposed salary increases first came to light in a R.I. Department of Administration notice pos ted online last week, which announced that a public hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday morning to discuss the raises. In addition to Alviti, McKee is also seeking salary increases for R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families Director Ashley Deckert, Department of Environmental Management Director Terrence Gray, Department of Corrections Director Wayne Salisbury and Department of Labor and Training Director Matthew Weldon. The salary increases would take place 30 days after being referred to the General Assembly, unless the House or Senate vetoes them within that timeframe. The cabinet director that could see the biggest pay bump would be Deckert, whose base salary would increase by $9,720. Rhode Island State Police Col. Darnell Weaver, who also serves as director of the state's Department of Public Safety, would receive the smallest increase of $1,000. However, Weaver's base salary is the highest of the directors receiving raises under McKee's proposal. Alviti, the director at the forefront of the Washington Bridge saga, would receive a raise of approximately $3,835 if approved. (story continues below graph) In a statement to 12 News, McKee spokesperson Olivia DaRocha confirmed the approximately $82,000 worth of raises for the 11 cabinet directors. "In a competitive marketplace, it is important that leaders with specialized areas of expertise are compensated fairly and that their salaries keep pace with peers in similar roles in other states," DaRocha explained. "To achieve this goal, 11 cabinet members are in line to receive modest raises—none exceeding a 5% increase." "When Governor McKee first came into office, many cabinet members had not received raises in years, and their salaries had fallen below the standard for their roles," she continued. "To rectify this situation, the state had to implement considerable raises over a three-year period." DaRocha said that moving forward, cabinet directors will be given "small, incremental increases" that shouldn't cause "a significant impact on any one budget year." Not everyone is on board with McKee's proposal, however. R.I. House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi expressed frustration with the salary increases, arguing that now is not the time for pay raises. "I understand the governor's position, that it's about retention and recruitment of top level talent, and I can understand that, but our concerns are that this particular year is not a good year," Shekarchi said. "We are dealing with a great number of uncertainties regarding the state budget and even more uncertainty regarding the federal budget. There's a strong possibility we will receive a significant cut in federal aid and we don't know how we will make up for that." Shekarchi told 12 News he's worried about how others will view the proposed raises. "It's about the optics," Shekarchi said. "It's not a good look for the state to be giving raises, however small or justifiable, at this time." It's unclear whether the House or Senate will reject the proposed raises at this time, though Shekarchi said he plans on discussing the salary increases with McKee later this week. Here's a closer look at McKee's proposed base salary increases: Department of Administration Director Jonathan Womer — from $185,589.52 to $194,888 ($9,298.48 increase) Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals Richard Leclerc — from $175,344.11 to $184,111 ($8,766.89 increase) Department of Business Regulation Director Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer — from $162,737 to $170,874 ($8,137 increase) Department of Corrections Director Wayne Salisbury — from $174,593.24 to $183,323 ($8,729.76 increase) Department of Children, Youth and Families Director Ashley Deckert — from $185,400 to $194,670 ($9,720 increase) Department of Environmental Management Director Terrence Gray — from $167,619.11 to $176,000 ($8,380.89 increase) Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito — from $160,473 to $168,497 ($8,024 increase) Department of Labor and Training Director Matthew Weldon — from $173,512.77 to $182,188. ($8,675.23 increase) Department of Revenue Director Thomas Verdi — from $163,963.64 to $172,161 ($8,197.36 increase) Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti — from $188,164.52 to $192,000 ($3,835.48 increase) Department of Public Safety Director Col. Darnell Weaver — from $195,000 to $196,000 ($1,000 increase) Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less