Governor Lincoln Chafee. WPRO file photo by Steve Klamkin.

WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press

Governor Lincoln Chafee has withdrawn his request to give pay raises to 14 state directors and administrators, but told reporters Wednesday he would try again next year.

The Governor said he still believes the raises are well deserved, but withdrew the request in light of the state's $50 million revenue shortfall and the lawmakers' opposition.

"I thought it was a wise investment to reward these directors that are working hard on behalf of the taxpayers to bring in the department under budget, or on budget, for the first time in decades," Chafee said of the pay raises. He said it would have cost roughly $100,000 to give the directors a raise, something they haven't received in more than ten years.

"In the grand scheme of things, a lot of attention has been paid to this $100,000," he said. "I understand it's a tough economy and I'm fully empathetic with these…tough times."

The Governor's announced his decision to withdraw the pay raise proposal Tuesday evening, just hours after House Speaker Gordon Fox voiced his opposition and announced he would call for a vote on Wednesday to block the raises.

More than 20 representatives wrote to ask for that vote, arguing raises would send a bad message to taxpayers struggling with a tough economy.

The Governor's proposal would have given the directors 3 percent raises in June and another 3 percent in December.

State directors have not seen an across-the-board increase since a 4.5 percent bump in 2002.

Michael Downey, president of Council 94, the largest state employee union in Rhode Island, was the sole person to testify against the raises at a hearing in March.