Ramsey County's top manager will soon leave his job for a similar position in California, where he'll get a $100,000 raise. And the No. 2 administrator of the state pension fund recently resigned to work for a county in Maryland, where he'll earn $100,000 more than his boss here was paid.

When it comes to executive pay in government, Minnesota stands out -- and not in a good way. Ours is the only state that ties top manager's salaries to what the governor earns. Consequently, most city, county and state administrators earn no more than about $144,000, in some cases tens of thousands dollars less than their counterparts across the nation.

The salary restriction affects local governments' ability to attract top talent. With an expected rash of baby boomer retirements and good managers leaving for better pay, officials need the flexibility to offer competitive salaries. That's why the state-imposed salary cap should be repealed.

For many years, law prohibited state employees from earning more than 95 percent of the governor's salary. But, in 1998, the Legislature passed an exemption for school superintendents after school boards had trouble filling top positions. Also, a handful of government agencies have received waivers to boost salaries.

In 2005, the Legislature took another positive step when it raised the cap to 110 percent of the governor's salary. And last week, a legislative panel approved a major pay increase for the state pension fund director, who manages $63 billion in assets. With such a heavy demand for exemptions and waivers, it is time to let go of the caps altogether.

Understandably, the average Minnesotan might question six-figure salaries for public officials. When personal and public budgets are so tight, why spend more on administrators?

During tough financial times, taxpayers should want the best, most experienced managers making difficult staff, program and budget choices. And citizens needn't fear that executive pay will balloon. The officials doing the hiring have built-in accountability: They have to balance their budgets and answer to taxpayers and voters.

And while we're talking salaries, it wouldn't hurt to revisit the paycheck on which the cap is based. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty earns slightly more than $120,000, about average for gubernatorial pay, according to the Council of State Governments. Topping the salary list is California at $206,000, although Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of three governors who don't accept a full salary. State CEOs in North and South Dakota and Wisconsin earn $92,500, $105,600 and $137,000 respectively. At $70,000, the governor of Maine makes the lowest salary.

Though most governors don't seek elected office for the money, and considerable perks come with the position, the same arguments for executive pay apply. Governors oversee thousands of people and billions of dollars. They deserve compensation that better reflects their level of responsibility.