'How Payroll of Paterson Dwarfs All'

Your recent story on employee salaries within the Executive Chamber attempts to contrast compensation within the governor's offices of several states, including New York [New York, "How Payroll of Paterson Dwarfs All," July 14, 2008].

But it fails to offer any context for these comparisons.

New York is a diverse and complex state with a very high cost of living. It places unique demands on policymakers in the areas of homeland security, financial services regulation, health care, education, and many others.

Put simply, the Executive Chamber must pay competitive salaries to ensure that our state's best and the brightest will be the ones addressing these challenging issues — especially when we must vie with large corporations and private sector firms for top talent.

Similarly, the article implies that Executive Chamber spending under Governor Paterson is excessive when examined against the prior administration. The change in average employee salaries cited in the story only amounts to a roughly 2% increase, which is less than inflation.

The author also fails to note that the members of the governor's senior staff have salaries identical to the senior staff in the prior administration with standard cost of living adjustments.

Based on a careful and thoughtful examination of the facts, it is clear that the compensation paid within the Executive Chamber is both reasonable and appropriate.

LAURA ANGLIN

New York State Director of the Budget

Albany, N.Y.

'Dissident Disputes Results, Calls Runoff Choices "Bad and Worse"'

A few years ago the Sun published an interview with Ahmad Batebi, a prominent Iranian dissident arrested during student protests in Tehran in 1999 [Foreign, "Dissident Disputes Results, Calls Runoff Choices 'Bad and Worse,'" June 23, 2005].

Amnesty International Group 11 in Manhattan adopted Mr. Batebi as a prisoner of conscience, joining with other organizations calling for his release.

Thankfully, Mr. Batebi has escaped Iran and arrived in America on June 24. We hope to hear his stories of survival and escape and to learn more about human rights in Iran.

TODD SCHWARZ

Amnesty International Group 11

New York, N.Y.