ITD said today that the reason it'll pay new Director Brian Ness $22,000 a year more than fired Director Pam Lowe is because it negotiated a salary designed to be a substantial increase from Ness' current salary in Michigan, after accounting for higher costs of living he'll face in Idaho. "Salary of the department's director is negotiable," said ITD spokesman Jeff Stratten. "Pam received promotional increases as her responsibility within the organization grew." Lowe, whose wrongful termination lawsuit against the state alleges sex discrimination and other charges, made $143,000 a year; Ness will make $165,000. You can read my full story here at spokesman.com.

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