JFAC raises state employee health‑insurance funding to $14,130 per FTE; broader pay package stalls

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee voted Friday to raise health‑insurance funding for state employees to $14,130 per eligible full‑time equivalent position for fiscal year 2026, but the panel failed to pass any of several competing proposals for broader salary increases and deferred further action.

The health‑insurance motion — moved by Senator Woodward and seconded by Representative Tanner — was adopted after roll calls showed a majority in both the Senate and House delegations of the joint committee. Committee staff calculated the motion increases at $36,043,900 from the general fund, $8,599,500 from dedicated funds and $3,753,800 from federal funds, for a combined total increase of $48,397,200.

The vote followed a detailed staff presentation that laid out three separate dollar‑amount options for health coverage and forecasts of the insurance reserve balance. "The CEC committee's recommendation for health insurance funding at 13,960 per full time equivalent position," analyst Mr. Bybee told the committee when describing the options, and he then contrasted that with the governor's recommendation and an in‑between figure used by members.

Members debated whether the committee should use reserve funds to "buy down" premiums or reflect the actual projected cost of insurance. "I think we should be reflecting the actual cost of insurance," said Senator Ward Engelking, who argued buyers‑down…