AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)   Maine Gov. Paul LePage wants to boost the salary for the next governor.

LePage, a Republican, has said that the $70,000 annual salary is too low to attract the best talent, and he’s proposing boosting it to $150,000 for the next governor. He said the salary would go from the nation’s lowest to “the middle of the pack” for governors.

LePage said he knows of qualified candidates who are deterred by the current salary. He said, “Competitive compensation is good policy.”

The governor’s bill also would raise the meal and lodging allowance for legislators who stay overnight in Augusta from $70 to $125.

The proposal would have no effect on his salary or retirement. LePage is prevented from seeking re-election because of term limits.