Governor Bob Holden’s Press Secretary has received a pay raise. Jerry Nachtigal’s salary has been upped $13,000 to $84,000 a year. Nachtigal defends the pay increase, saying he is always available to the media to answer questions. He adds the Governor had to offer him a salary that is comparable to what he can earn in the private sector. Nachtigal was Press Secretary to the late Governor Mel Carnahan, took the same post with former Governor Roger Wilson, and moved into the position with the current Governor before resigning to work in the private sector. After a short time away from the State Capitol, Nachtigal returned to his current job.
