State troopers who protect governor given $4-an-hour raises

Just after Republican lawmakers announced they were rejecting raises for rank-and-file state troopers, Gov. Scott Walker’s administration granted $4-an-hour raises to the law enforcement officers responsible for protecting the governor.

The pay bump comes at a time when the Republican governor is routinely traveling out of state as he considers a run for president.

The top two Republicans in the Legislature announced Feb. 17 they would not accept a 17% pay boost for state troopers that Walker’s administration had negotiated. Those pay raises can’t go into effect without the approval of lawmakers.

A separate pay raise took effect five days later for the troopers belonging to the State Patrol’s Dignitary Protection Unit who are responsible for protecting the governor 24 hours a day, State Patrol spokeswoman Peg Schmitt said Monday. That pay increase does not require legislative approval.