JFAC fails to pass change‑in‑employee‑compensation package; four CEC options stall

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Friday considered four competing change‑in‑employee‑compensation (CEC) proposals but failed to approve any of them, leaving raises for state employees, educators and certain public safety classifications unsettled.

All four motions were debated in detail and voted on. Representative Miller moved the motion commonly labeled “Motion 1,” which would have funded a $1.55‑per‑hour adjustment (calculated as $1.55/hour per FTE across state agencies) and additional targeted increases; that proposal totaled $177,429,000. Senator Cook offered a merit‑based substitute that would have provided merit increases of up to 4% (Motion 3); Representative Furness later offered a substitute that combined a $1.55 floor with a 3% minimum (Motion 2). Senator Wintrow presented the governor’s recommendation (Motion 4) — a 5% merit‑based increase equivalent — as an alternative.

None of the motions secured the majorities required under the joint voting letter the committee uses to calculate passage. The committee repeatedly debated the proper voting threshold and at one point located a leadership letter describing the joint voting procedure. Committee staff and members confirmed the letter’s direction that…