Active employees will see increases starting July 1, with additional boosts from last year's long session raises of 2.5 percent. Last year, the General Assembly gave state employees a 3% raise. We welcome questions about, and criticism of, our news stories and commentary but not of the writers who work tirelessly to keep their community informed. Approve Proposal. The Governor said the budget also helps ensure every region in Kentucky sees economic prosperity, with significant investments in higher education, career and technical training and workforce development. We raise no objections to the merits of the proposal and think that it is a reasonable first step in identifying and addressingdiversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the state workforce. "With inflation, this pay increase has to become part of our normal cycle in budgeting. The form states that if you elect not to provide the information requested, CalHR will not be able to effectively evaluate the representation of the state civil service workforce. The administration indicates that, as of January 31, 2022, 14percent of state employees race/ethnicity was visually identified bymanagement. Will federal employees get a pay raise in 2013? Our comments below focus on the data collection efforts under the proposal because we think that any successful effort to establish a statewide diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy would require significant improvements to the data currently collected. As part of this initiative, the proposal would seek to improve statewide data on the workforce to inform a statewide diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy. "As legislators we rely on state employees to provide critical services and support to our constituents," and understaffing those positions increases wait times for Medicaid and other services, and contributes to dangerous jail and foster care conditions. Corrections of inaccurate information in news stories should be sent to news@state-journal.com rather than posted in the comments section. The Governor also recommended funding to support the states two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Simmons College of Kentucky and Kentucky State University. The State Journal will do its part by more carefully policing this forum. The Joint Finance Committee will continue . For the first time ever, the budget funds the asset preservation fund with a major $683.5 million investment. AUSTIN A Texas bill filed by state Rep. John Bucy III looks to give certain state employees a $10,000 raise. Advancing Major Transportation ProjectsThe Governor said with all the businesses and employees landing in Kentucky, it is imperative the state continues efforts to improve critical infrastructure across the commonwealth. So when can state workers expect to see that additional money on their paychecks? When identifying their race/ethnicity, employees may only select one option from among 20 categories, including multiple races (nonHispanic or Latino). There is no other or not listed option. Andy Beshear announced that the upcoming fiscal year 2022-2024 state budget passed by the General Assembly builds on the economic momentum the state is experiencing by making game-changing investments in infrastructure like high-speed internet, cleaner water, roads and bridges while making it easier for emerging businesses to move to Kentucky. Many electric vehicle batteries lose power when it's very cold, News reports say three children have been killed and two other children wounded in an attack at a home in Texas on Friday afternoon, Southern states are more frequently turning to pay-to-use express lanes as a way to address highway congestion without raising taxes. Submit yours now at austinchronicle.com/opinion. Several legislators and department directors joined Parson for the afternoon bill signing in the atrium of the Harry S. Truman State Office Building. TSEU has an ally in Rep. John Bucy III, D-Austin, who has filed House Bill 202 to raise the gross salary for state employees by $10,000, including a proportional raise for part-time employees. The amounts negotiated may vary by union. Mike Parson said Monday before signing off on one of the largest pay raises in recent memory. Brian Kemp intends to boost the pay of state employees by $2,000 a year, he announced Thursday, and has several cash programs in store for his second term. Veit said he would like to see additional pay raises implemented in steps. No attacks on State Journal staff members or contributing writers. Included in the amounts above and in the other amounts appropriated elsewhere in this Act which can be found in an individual strategy item contained in the bill pattern for each agency are General Revenue Funds, General Revenue-Dedicated Funds, State Highway Fund No. We cant let our schools crumble, saidGov. The datathat CalHR currently collects and makes public about the demographic composition of the state civil service are collected using a form (known as CalHR Form 1070) designed to comply with federal law. Would you like to receive our daily news? The salary increase provision language is as follows: Sec. Several legislators and department directors joined Parson for the afternoon bill signing in the atrium of the Harry S. Truman State Office Building in Jefferson City. Budget Highlights for State Employees. Winds W at 25 to 35 mph. The pay raise becomes effective March 1, and state employees can expect to see higher wages on their next paycheck. For 2023, lawmakers approved a 4% raise for state employees. Funds are going to support the Military Family Assistance Trust Fund. Ron Moore Jr.: Faith explained Part 2: The tunnel, Paul Sawyier Public Library News March 5-11, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members visit Frankfort, meet with Beshear, legislature, ABBA Mania to present every ABBA hit at the Grand Theatre, Capital City Activity Center/Meals on Wheels Greater Frankfort News March 6-10, New Harvest Assembly of God distributing free groceries, SJ Digs: Abuse survivor speaks out part two, Kentucky State coach Jackson receives Guardians of the Game award in education. This list documents the history of state employee pay increases since the 1970-71 legislative session. Create a password that only you will remember. State police troopers and social workers would be among the state employees in line for . Last Wednesday, state employees rallied at the Capitol for pay raises and pension increases, which they haven't seen since 2015. Here are some rules that all commenters must agree to follow: "We're here to help our communities, but we have to be able to support our own families, as well.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The request attempts to improve or establish a variety of state programs with the overarching aim of making the state a better employer and making the state workforce more representative of the public that it serves. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, for example, had 240 vacant positions and a turnover rate of 24 percent as last week. (d) Provisions requiring salaries and benefits to be proportional to the source of funds shall apply to all sums allocated under this section and to the appropriations made elsewhere in this Act that are intended to be used for the salary increase described by Subsection (a) and which can be found in an individual strategy item contained in the bill pattern for each agency. In Fiscal Year 2023, in keeping with the usual practice, contractual employees may receive an increment at the employing agency's discretion. There are more than 7,000 positions open across state government, Haug said. There are more than 7,000 positions open across state government, Haug said. For example, although Hispanic or Latino people accounted for 37percent of the state workingage population in 2021, only 26percent of state employees were identified to be Hispanic or Latino at that time. "It's just a good day to highlight who we are in state government," he said. The bill also sets aside enough money for a 12% salary hike for state workers in the second year of the budget. That's just huge.". Hundreds of those employees filled the atrium of the Harry S Truman State Office Building Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, to sign the legislation. The administrations intention of making this an iterative process also makes sense. The Insurance Department, which has 25 fraud investigators, will run its $245,000 of pay-raise money through Schedule C, spokeswoman Stephanie Goodman confirmed. In the end, negotiators went to the top limit and beyond, with 5% raises for teachers but also for state employees and state-supported local employees, such as sheriff's deputies. State employees are the "true example of public servants," Gov. All rights reserved. Note: Most state employees' pay increase will not become effective until August 1, 2022. To help address this crucial need, for the first time ever, the final budget includes $50 million each year to develop mega sites and $100 million in the fiscal year 2023 for counties to develop. "I think we're headed down that road, and you'll see that (proposed pay raises) get more and more about retaining employees.". We recommend that the Legislature approve the proposal and encourage the Legislature to exercise ongoing legislative oversight of the process to ensure that the administrations policies meet legislative objectives and priorities. Staff turnover was exceeding 30 percent across state government before last year's pay raise, state budget director Dan Haug said, and dropped to about 27 percent by the end of 2022. Until 2023, the state's minimum wage will increase by 85 cents. But many are still worried the cost of their health insurance will be going up too fast. The pay raise was touted as a tool to combat extreme staff turnover within state agencies and is the second of its kind within two years. Relative to 202122, these proposals would increase CalHRs appropriation authority by 15percent and its position authority by 22percenta large and fast increase in staffing. "It's just a good day to highlight who we are in state government," he said. Ron DeSantis signed the state's budget, which includes 3% across-the-board pay raises for dedicated workers who keep the Sunshine State's infrastructure going in good times and bad. Step 4: Click "Submit." The status of your grievance will be displayed. Dont use an article about the Frankfort City Commission, for example, to rant about national politics. As of Aug. 1, there are 10 PEIA salary tiers which increased by $2,700 due to Justice's directive to not increase PEIA state fund premiums and the 5% average pay raise for state employees passed . Absolutely no attacks on other commenters, on guest columnists or on authors of letters to the editor. Julie Smith/News Tribune photo: Hundreds of state employees filled the atrium of the Harry S. Truman State Office Building as Gov. Theadministration requests 43 permanent positions and $7.6million ($6.3million General Fund) in 202223 and $6.8million ($5.5million General Fund) ongoing in order for CalHR to implement specific policy recommendations proposed by the administrations taskforce. State-Journal.com is not one. In accordance with Directive 20-08, agencies under the Governor's authority did not implement the 3% general wage increase scheduled for July 1, 2020, for non-represented state employees in Exempt Management Most teachers got a modest pay raise. The policies that will be developed in the future as a result of this proposal likely will have significant implications for the state as an employer. The overarching goal of these proposals is to take initial steps towards making the state a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive place to work. Raises for the fiscal year 2024 are dependent upon the next session of the General Assembly.