Big salaries on state's gaming commission

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The payroll is adding up as the new gaming commission begins to hire.

The five-member panel named an interim executive director, Stanley McGee . He already works for the state's Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, and will receive no increase in his $121,000 annual salary.

The panel also tapped a new communications director, who used to work for the Boston police. Elaine Driscoll will be paid $117,000 per year.

These salaries are quite large, but some people, like Mark Wessinger of West Springfield, say they may be worth it. “You have to have someone to regulate it. If you don't, it's foolish not to,” he said.

Other salaries on the gaming commission are as follows:

• Chief of Staff $97,000
• Administrative Assistant: $38,000
• Executive Assistant: $62,000
• Commission Member: $112,500

With five members on the commission, the total salaries add up to about $920,000 per year.