These pay increases come as part of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ broader strategy to overhaul the state's pay plan, aiming to make Arkansas more competitive in attracting and retaining qualified staff. The raises follow the governor’s authorization of a 3% market adjustment pay increase and merit-based raises for state employees.
Significant Pay Increases for Key Officials
Several state employees saw substantial boosts in their salaries. Notably, Alexandra Benton, the deputy attorney general and director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, received a $58,014 pay increase, raising her annual salary from $125,986 to $184,000. Attorney General Tim Griffin defended the increase, citing Benton's promotion and the competitive legal market. “She performs at the level of our Deputy AGs: excellent. If I could have paid her that amount earlier I would have. She earns it — and more — each and every day,” Griffin stated.
Other key officials in the attorney general’s office also received notable raises, including Brian Black, a senior assistant attorney general, whose salary jumped by $32,100 to reach $154,000. Three senior management assistants—Carl Rosenbaum Jr., Paul Davis, and Dawnetta Calhoun—each received raises of $30,001, bringing their salaries to $140,000.
Boosting Retention and Addressing Pay Discrepancies
Attorney General Griffin explained that one of his priorities since taking office in January 2023 has been addressing pay disparities within his department, especially when compared to the private sector. “I saw the talent retention problem up close and took steps to fix it,” Griffin said. He emphasized his commitment to providing Arkansans with top-tier legal representation and described the pay raises as crucial to achieving that goal.
The average salary in the attorney general’s office rose from $89,475.39 to $99,778.25, marking a nearly $10,303 increase per employee. This totals $1.7 million in additional spending on salaries for the office's 167 employees.
These raises are part of a broader effort by Governor Sanders to revamp state employee compensation. In June, the governor authorized merit raises ranging from 1% to 3%, depending on employee performance, and implemented a 3% market adjustment for executive branch employees. These initiatives have increased the average annual salary for the state’s executive branch employees from $50,755 to $53,098.
According to state officials, approximately 17,000 executive branch employees received merit raises, while the cost of these adjustments totaled $56.5 million, funded through state agency budgets. The raises reflect Sanders' vision for an improved state workforce and a response to criticisms over Arkansas’ existing pay structure, which some lawmakers and officials have labeled outdated and insufficient.
Legislative Push for Long-Term Pay Overhaul
Governor Sanders has signaled her intent to pursue a more comprehensive pay plan during the regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly starting in January 2025. The overhaul aims to reward performance and improve the state’s ability to compete with private-sector salaries. In a letter to state employees in June, Sanders acknowledged that the current pay plan is "imperfect" and vowed to propose a system that "better rewards performance and keeps us competitive in employee compensation."
This legislative push follows a $5.5 million consulting contract with McKinsey & Co., which was signed earlier this year to help the state streamline its executive branch agencies and improve service delivery. The upcoming session is expected to see significant debate over the new pay plan and how best to align state salaries with both public expectations and budget realities.
Looking Ahead
With a focus on improving employee retention and efficiency, Sanders’ administration continues to emphasize that these raises are just the beginning of broader reforms. As the state prepares for the January session, many will be watching closely to see how the proposed pay overhaul unfolds and how it may reshape the future of Arkansas' government workforce.
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