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Major debate on pay increases for state employees ends with lawmakers withdrawing competing motions
Summary
Lawmakers vigorously debated two competing approaches to state employee pay (a flat $1.55-per-hour supplement vs. a merit-or-percent approach) and discussed market adjustments for IT and trooper pay; both the original and substitute motions were withdrawn to allow more time for staff work and further deliberation.
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee held extended debate over proposals to adjust state-employee pay for FY2026. Representative Furness read the CEC committeerecommendation: a $1.55-per-hour supplement for permanent state employees (with additional targeted increases: 8% for state troopers, $1.55 or 3% for nursing/healthcare workers, whichever is greater, and a 4.5% market adjustment for classified IT and engineering positions). Furness then amended the motion on the record to include classified and nonclassified IT and engineering staff omitted earlier.
Senator Cook offered a substitute motion framed as a merit-based structure: an ongoing annual increase of $1.55 per hour or 4%, whichever is higher, distributed on merit,…
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