Idaho legislative committee recommends $1.55 per hour raises for all state employees

In the upcoming fiscal year, a committee of Idaho lawmakers tasked with researching state employee compensation and benefits is suggesting that all state employees get raises of $1.55.

The hikes were recommended by the Idaho Legislature’s Change in Employee Compensation Committee, which met Thursday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise and voted 7-3.

The suggestion and that of Governor Brad Little are extremely similar.

Little that lawmakers approve 5% raises, or $1.55 per hour, for all state employees on Monday.

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Under the $1.55 per hour increases, state employees earning $64,480 or less annually will receive at least a 5% rise, according to members of the Change in Employee Compensation Committee. Less than a 5% raise would be given to state employees earning more than $64,480.

Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, a Democrat from Boise, expressed worry that the hourly rise would not be as significant for higher-paid state employees, therefore she voted against the $1.55 recommendation.

I suppose I’m worried about our highly qualified staff members who earn over $64,480. Ward-Engelking stated during Thursday’s meeting, “I’m concerned that they won’t even be able to keep up with the cost of living, and that’s really a problem for me.”

Additionally, committee members authorized a 4.5% pay raise for state IT and engineering employees and a greater pay increase for Idaho State Police Troopers, not to exceed 8%.

Health care workers, including nurses, would receive raises of either 3% or $1.55 per hour, whichever is higher.

Next year, lawmakers themselves are expected to get rises of 25%.The Idaho Capital Sun previously reported that the Citizens Committee for Legislative Compensation suggested the state raise the pay for seasonal, part-time lawmakers from $19,913 to $25,000 annually prior to the start of the legislative session.

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The suggestions made on Thursday are neither legally binding or final. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, which establishes the budgets for all state departments and agencies, will hear the Change in Employee Compensation Committee’s recommendations about pay and benefits.

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