Here's how well Republican Gov. Doug Ducey rewarded his staff, agency heads

At least 112 public employees working directly for Gov. Doug Ducey have seen their pay increase by amounts ranging from a few thousand dollars to $73,500 since the Republican took office, records compiled by The Arizona Republic show.

The average increase for those Ducey staffers or agency executives was $16,668, but more than one-third of them received pay hikes in excess of the average. Most of the largest pay raises went to those who received a promotion or change in job title.

The biggest increase of $73,500 went to Economic Security Director Michael Trailor, who was promoted from the Arizona Department of Housing.

READ MORE:Ducey awards hefty pay raises to his staff

The total amount of raises amounted to nearly $1.9 million, records show.

The Republic previously reported that Ducey, who this year offered teachers raises of less than 1 percent because of the state's austere budget, gave 44 of his staff members raises of up to 20 percent each over the past 2½ years.

The Arizona Education Association has scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference Friday at the Capitol to call on Ducey to give teachers a 20 percent raise.

Agency directors and deputy directors also received large pay increases. The bulk of state employees have not had across-the-board hikes in recent years, though the average pay for state workers has increased 4.2 percent, to $45,981, since Ducey took office because of merit raises to select workers.

Two Ducey staffers and six agency executives received raises in excess of what a typical state worker makes in a year.

Some Arizonans, including lifelong Republicans, reacted to The Republic's initial report by telling the newspaper they were furious with Ducey, a former Cold Stone Creamery executive.

"I'm sorry I voted for him," said Lucille Sebastiano, an 80-year-old Ahwatukee resident. "Let him go sell ice cream. I thought he was a man we needed." 

Ducey's spokesman, Daniel Scarpinato, has defended the raises, saying the governor wants the best people who will do the best work for taxpayers.

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