It still pays well to be a good ol’ boy in Oklahoma!
According to Oklahoma Voice, Mike Sanders – the former lawmaker that Kevin Stitt strong-armed into the position of Oklahoma Broadband Office Director over a more qualified candidate – was recently awarded a big, fat $16,000 pay raise, bumping his annual salary from $180,000 to $201,175.
The raise – which seems excessive based on Sanders’s qualifications, experience, and the fact he’s only been on the job for about a year – was approved by the Broadband Board that Stitt appointed. The move reeks of cronyism, grifting, and all the other things the Kevin Stitt administration is known for.
Like any well-paid lackey, Sanders was thrilled.
He thanked the board for their confidence in him and promised he “won’t let them down.”
The board discussed the compensation change, along with a performance evaluation of Sanders, during an executive session.
After returning from executive session, Jim Meek, chair of the board, announced that Sanders passed the evaluation, with his performance “exceeding or meeting all standards.”
Sure, his chin can generate mobile wi-fi to all corners of the state, but what “standards” did Sanders meet or exceed to get such a big raise? If anyone in western Oklahoma sees this and has internet access, let us know if this means he’s delivering faster broadband speeds—or simply swallows.
Sanders’s raise seems especially egregious when you consider most state employees – many of whom have been on the job longer, have more qualifications, and work harder than Sanders – haven’t received a raise since 2019.
In fact, legislation to give blanket 9% raises to state employees who aren’t buddies with Stitt went nowhere in the legislature. In this time of record inflation, which Republicans like Stitt and Sanders spend all day complaining about, that’s especially rich.
But hey, who’s counting?
Through his actions and words, Stitt has made it very clear that he hates government and wants it to run as “efficiently” as possible. And unless you’re in his loyal inner circle, you’re better off doing a shitty job for the same shitty pay.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
