Lottery panel approves pay raises

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Lottery Commission has voted to give pay raises to its director and other employees.

The panel Wednesday voted to give a 2 percent cost-of-living pay raise to its 82 employees and also give merit pay raises to those eligible based on their evaluations. Director Bishop Woosley will receive a one-time payment of $4,248 this year as a 3 percent merit pay raise and will receive $2,832 next year as his cost-of-living adjustment

The payments to Woosley are based on his maximum salary under state law, which is $141,603. Woosley is paid $165,000 a year under a provision that allows him to receive more if approved by a legislative committee.

Woosley, the former chief legal counsel for the games, was hired as the lottery's director last year.

Upcoming Events