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JFAC discussion on change in employee compensation ends without a decision; motions withdrawn for further staff work
Summary
Committee debated multiple proposals for change in employee compensation — including a $1.55‑per‑hour across‑the‑board approach and a merit/percent hybrid — but sponsors withdrew both motions to allow staff to revise and present corrected numbers; committee deferred final action to a later meeting.
The committee engaged in extended debate on proposed FY2026 changes in employee compensation, including competing approaches to a cost‑of‑living or merit‑based increase and market adjustments for IT, engineering, nursing and state trooper pay.
Representative Furness presented the CEC committee recommendation — a $1.55 per hour increase for permanent employees and targeted market adjustments (4.5% for classified IT/engineering, an 8% trooper pay increase and a $1.55 or 3% floor for nursing/healthcare workers, whichever was greater). Senator Cook offered a substitute that would have increased ongoing annual salary by $1.55 per hour or 4%, whichever was higher, plus the same targeted market adjustments; members debated the merits of a flat dollar increase (which benefits lower‑paid employees proportionally more) versus a percentage/merit approach (which favors performance and higher‑paid positions in percentage terms).
During discussion members raised competing policy goals: some argued the dollar‑per‑hour approach better addresses turnover at lower pay scales and is more progressive in percentage terms for low‑wage employees; others argued a merit/percent approach better rewards top performers and avoids driving up private‑sector compensation. Committee members also discussed the proper inclusion of non‑classified IT and engineering staff and whether school allocations should be part of the same motion.
Both the substitute motion and the original motion were withdrawn by their sponsors to allow staff time to correct omissions and reformat the proposals. Committee leadership said staff would reissue corrected language and numbers and that final action would be taken at a later meeting; the committee adjourned with maintenance budgets scheduled for the next day and compensation matters to be revisited.
