The Rhode Island Senate vote to raise Board of Election salaries from $7,000 to $10,000, with annual cost-of-living increases, is not acceptable. Hopefully the House will realize this and reject S-623, introduced by Sen. Leo Blais.

Prior to 1992, these 17-year appointments were patronage appointments with a salary of $30,000 plus health and retirement benefits. In 1992, the salary was reduced to $7,000 per year, but the pension and health benefits remained unchanged.

Operation Clean Government did extensive research in 1997 and discovered that these members were working an average of 50 hours per year. The hours were higher during an election year and lower in an off year. Board of Election members were also enrolled in the pension system and were receiving health benefits, benefits available only to employees working at least 20 hours per week. As a result of reports by Katherine Gregg, of The Journal, on our research, the health and pension benefits for Board of Election members were eliminated.

Each year since, legislation has been introduced to raise Board of Election salaries by as much as $8,000 to make up for the lost benefits. Our research since that time shows that the meeting hours have not changed significantly. Some meetings last for as little as 15 minutes. Other meetings are listed as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but members come in sometime during the day to certify the optical scan machines and that takes less than one hour.

Most boards and commissions receive no compensation, including the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, which meets for more hours per year than does the Board of Elections. We agree that there should be reasonable compensation for any board that meets frequently, but $7,000 for 50 hours a year, or $140 an hour, is already too high.

BEVERLY CLAY

West Greenwich

The writer is on the board of Operation Clean Government.